Norman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England-Alt
England
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

The Norman surname is ultimately derived from the Scandinavian word "noromenn," meaning "men from the north." It came to Britain with pre-Conquest Scandianavian settlers, and became a personal name among the Saxons. This name also came to Britain following the Norman conquest; in this instance, it was most likely a name for someone from the town of Normanville in the French province of Normandy.

Early Origins of the Norman family

The surname Norman was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they were granted lands by King David of Scotland. "Norman was also a surname in Dumfriesshire in thirteenth century." 1

Early records of the family first appeared in their Latin form. One of the first records notes Normanus as a witness of David's great charter to Holyrood in circa 1128. Years later, Nonnannus, constapularius de Enneroury (Invsrurie), was charter witness, c. 1180 and William, son of Norman, burgess of Aberdeen, was one of the witnesses to a charter by Fergus, earl of Buchan, c. 1189-99. John Normand, was juror on inquisition in Roxbergh in 1303. 1

Early History of the Norman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Norman research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1303 and 1324 are included under the topic Early Norman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Norman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Norman, Normanby, Normanville, Normand and others.

Early Notables of the Norman family

Notable among the family at this time was

Norman of Argyllshire

Norman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Norman is the 396^th most popular surname with an estimated 69,636 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Norman is ranked the 714^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,470 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Norman is the 105^th popular surname with an estimated 319 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Norman as 365^th with 9,933 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Norman as 433^rd with 1,551 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Norman as 294^th with 20,635 people. 7

Migration of the Norman family to Ireland

Some of the Norman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Norman migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Norman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Norman, who landed in New England in 1623 8
Austice Norman, who landed in Virginia in 1634 8
Hen Norman, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 8
Peter Norman, who landed in Virginia in 1634 8
Jo Norman, aged 19, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Eliza Norman, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
Rachel Norman, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 8
Rachel] Norman, who landed in Virginia in 1704 8
Caleb Norman, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 8
Joshua Norman, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Norman, aged 27, who landed in Georgia in 1812 8
William Norman, who arrived in New York in 1822 8
Nels C Norman, aged 22, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1833 8
Abraham Norman, who landed in New York in 1835 8
Eleonora Gustava Norman, who arrived in New York in 1860 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Norman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James and William Norman were descended from a family who settled in Brigus, Newfoundland in 1714 9
Robert Norman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Sarah Norman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Robert Norman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Henry Norman was a merchant of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1765 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Norman, who settled in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland in 1802 9
Gregory Norman, who settled in Belle Isle, Newfoundland in 1813 9
William Norman was a planter of Bareneed, Newfoundland in 1826 9
John Norman was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1832 9
Joseph Norman, who settled in Greenspond, Newfoundland in 1838 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

A Norman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Christina Norman, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Norman migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Norman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Norman, (b. 1795), aged 20, English labourer who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Norman, (Smith), (b. 1802), aged 17, English convict who was convicted in Lindsey (Parts of Lindsey), Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Thomas Norman, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
James Norman, English convict from Bedford, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
Richard Norman, English convict from Bedford, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Norman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

E. Norman, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Brougham" in 1842
Mr. Peter Norman, (b. 1819), aged 22, British tailor travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 14
Mrs. Mary Ann Norman, (b. 1824), aged 17, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 14
Mr. Norman, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tuscan" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th September 1842 14
Hector Norman, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" in 1856
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Norman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 15

Norman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Samuel] Norman, aged 21, who landed in Barbados in 1683 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Norman (post 1700) +

Jessye Norman (1945-2019), American three-time Grammy award winning opera singer (soprano)
H. Wayne Norman Jr. (1955-2018), American attorney and politician, Member of the Maryland Senate (2015-2018)
Alen VonShea "Shea" Norman (1971-2017), American gospel musician
Fred Norman (b. 1942), American baseball player
Marsha Norman (b. 1947), American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist awarded the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Wilbur H Norman, American namesake of the town of Normanville, Texas, he ran a sawmill in the area about 1899
Mrs. David Norman, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1964 16
Dave Norman, American Republican politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 23rd District, 1996, 1998; Candidate in primary for Texas State Senate 11th District, 2012 16
Clarence Norman Jr. (b. 1951), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly 43rd District, 1983-; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1996, 2000, 2004 16
Charles S. Norman, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from New Britain, 1904 16
... (Another 60 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Norman family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Frank S. Norman, British Musician from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 17

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Charles George James Norman (1914-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Edwardstown, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18
Mr. Frederick William Norman (1916-1941), Australian Leading Seaman from South Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18

HMS Hood

Mr. Christopher J B Norman (b. 1922), Canadian Midshipman serving for the Royal Canadian Navy from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Norman, British Commander from Bradford, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Arthur William Norman, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 21
Mr. Jasper Norman, American 3rd Class passenger from Rochester, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Robert Norman, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 22

RMS Titanic

Mr. Robert Douglas Norman (d. 1912), aged 28, Scottish Second Class passenger from Glasgow, Scotland who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 23

SS Southern Cross

Mr. William Norman (1875-1914), Newfoundlander from Cupids who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. Chesley Norman (1891-1914), Newfoundlander from Catalina who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

The Norman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Auxillium ab alto
Motto Translation: Aid from above.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html