Show ContentsNyman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Nyman is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a stranger or newcomer. The surname Nyman is derived from the Old English words neowe, niwe, and nige, which all mean new, and the word mann, which means man. 1

"In Sussex documents of the XIII. cent. it is spelt Nieuweman, and latinized Novus Homo." 2 "Confined to the southern half of England and not occurring in any numbers north of a line drawn west from the Wash. It has evidently several homes, and is at present most frequently found in Essex, Wilts, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire. This name signifies 'a stranger.' In the 13th century it was of frequent occurrence, as Neweman, in Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, and as Neuman it was also then common in Norfolk and Essex (Hundred Rolls), in which two counties it has been ever since established." 3

Early Origins of the Nyman family

The surname Nyman was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat from early times. There are also early records of Stangrim Noueman listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1166; Godwin Nieweman listed in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1169; and Robert le Nyman in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists four entries for the name: Robert Niweman in Cambridgeshire; Herbert le Niweman in Oxfordshire; Matthew Neuman in Huntingdon; and John le Neuman in Bedfordshire. 5

"Stockleigh, [Devon] a seat of the Newman family, whose principal residence is at Mamhead, is close by; and not far distant is the quaint fishing village of Torcross." 6

Early History of the Nyman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nyman research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1602, 1636, 1643 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Nyman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nyman Spelling Variations

Nyman has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Nyman have been found, including Newman, Newmen, Newmin and others.

Early Notables of the Nyman family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Samuel Newman (1602-1663), English-born, American clergyman in colonial Massachusetts, born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he was prosecuted for nonconformity and emigrated...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nyman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nyman Ranking

In the United States, the name Nyman is the 11,806th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Ireland Migration of the Nyman family to Ireland

Some of the Nyman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Nyman migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Nymans to arrive on North American shores:

Nyman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • J M Nyman, aged 41, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850 8
  • J Magnus Nyman, aged 26, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850 8
  • Jacob Nyman, aged 44, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850 8
  • Jacob Victor Nyman, aged 9, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850 8
  • Sven August Nyman, aged 11, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nyman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Andrew, Nyman Jr., who landed in Mississippi in 1904 8
  • Gustof Nyman, who landed in Mississippi in 1905 8
  • Gustaf Walter Nyman, who arrived in Alabama in 1915 8
  • John Alfred Nyman, who landed in Alabama in 1924 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Nyman (post 1700) +

  • Sandra Nyman (b. 1953), American Democratic Party politician, Nurse; Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 2004 9
  • Melvin A. Nyman, American politician, Mayor of Alma, Michigan, 2002- 9
  • Lewis B. Nyman, American politician, Delegate to Maryland State Constitutional Convention, 1864 9
  • Howard S. Nyman, American politician, U.S. Collector of Customs, 1909 9
  • Emery O. Nyman, American politician, Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan, 1943-44, 1950-55 9
  • Carl R. Nyman, American politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly, 1937 9
  • Bruce Nyman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1996 9
  • Preston Nyman, English actor, known for Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007), 3rd & Bird (2008) and Penelope (2006)
  • Andy Nyman (b. 1966), English BAFTA actor, and producer, known for Death at a Funeral (2007), Severance (2006) and Black Death (2010)
  • Michael Laurence Nyman CBE (b. 1944), English three-time Golden Globe nominated composer of minimalist music, pianist, librettist and musicologist, known for The Piano (1993), Gattaca (1997) and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Nyman 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: Ubi amor ibi fides
Motto Translation: Where there is love there is faith.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. 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)
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, May 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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