Rams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Spain
Ireland

The name Rams came to England with the ancestors of the Rams family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rams family lived in Essex. Their name, however, is a reference to the Castle of Rames, at Bolbec, in the arrondissement of Havre, France, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Richard de Ariete (Ram) was listed in Normandy temp. King John. 1

Early Origins of the Rams family

The surname Rams was first found in Essex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Metinges. Roger de Rames was granted sixteen acres at Metinges, as well as land at Ramesdune under Robert Grenon. In Breseta in Suffolk, Roger de Rames was chief tenant. These lands were granted to Roger for his assistance at the Battle of Hastings by William, Duke of Normandy in his victory over King Harold.

Early History of the Rams family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rams research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1564, 1599, 1605, 1615, 1634 and 1684 are included under the topic Early Rams History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rams Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Ramm, Ram, Rams, Rame, Rames, Rammes and others.

Early Notables of the Rams family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Ram (1564-1634), English prelate, Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, born at Windsor and educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. In...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rams Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rams family to Ireland

Some of the Rams family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rams migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Rams or a variant listed above:

Rams Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Rams, who settled in South Carolina in 1830

Contemporary Notables of the name Rams (post 1700) +

Edwin Marion Rams, Urban Economist, Lecturer and Author, Maryland
Armando I Rams, American finance manager
Dieter Rams (b. 1932), German industrial designer
Andy Rams (b. 1980), professional tennis player from Israel

The Rams 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: Quod tibi vis fieri, facias
Motto Translation: What you wish done, do yourself.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)