Show ContentsRomny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Romny family name to the British Isles. They lived in Kent, at New Romney, or Old Romney parishes and locals that date back to at least the Domesday Book where they were collectively known as Romenel. 1 In fact, Old Romney may be older: "The town had a good and much frequented haven prior to the Conquest; but in the reign of Edward III. " 2

Early Origins of the Romny family

The surname Romny was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Romney, anciently Romenel. "[New Romney], the name of which is probably derived from the Saxon Rumen-ea, "a large watery expanse, or marsh," arose from the decay of Old Romney. At the time of the Conquest it was a town of considerable importance, divided into twelve wards, and containing five parochial churches." 2 At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England, the village of Romney was held by a Norman noble, Robert de Romenel, de Rumenae and as was the Norman custom, the second son of the family adopted the name of the village. 3

Early History of the Romny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Romny research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1593, 1601 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Romny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Romny Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Rumney, Rumnie, Romney, Romny, Romenel, Rumenel, Romnay and many more.

Early Notables of the Romny family

More information is included under the topic Early Romny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Romny family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Romny or a variant listed above: Thomas Romney who settled in Virginia in 1635; John Romney settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767; George Rumney settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1766.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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