Yeatmen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Today's generation of the Yeatmen family bears a name that was brought to England by the wave of migration that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Yeatmen is a name for a gatekeeper. Further research proved the surname Yeatmen was originally derived from the Old English word geat, meaning gate.

Early Origins of the Yeatmen family

The surname Yeatmen was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat from very ancient times and were Lords of the Manor of Stock Gaylard in that shire. Conjecturally, this family name is descended from William d'Eu who held the manor at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 A.D. Count William d'Eu's main holdings were in Wiltshire but it may well be that a junior line of the family became husbandmen to his Dorset holdings.

Early History of the Yeatmen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yeatmen research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1611, 1632, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1674, 1685, 1689, 1690 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Yeatmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yeatmen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Yeatmen have been found, including Yetman, Yeatman, Yeetman, Yeaman, Yateman, Yatman and others.

Early Notables of the Yeatmen family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Pym Yeatmen of Stock House; Sir John Yeamans, 1st Baronet (1611-1674), an English colonial administrator from Bristol described in his day as "a pirate ashore", Governor of the Province of Carolina; S...

Migration of the Yeatmen family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Yeatmen were among those contributors: Robert Yateman settled in Nevis in 1654; William Yateman settled in St. Christopher in 1635; William Yateman settled in Virginia in 1651; Albert and William Yeatman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1868. In Newfoundland Thomas Yeatman settled in Conception Bay in 1750.

The Yeatmen 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: Propositi tenax
Motto Translation: Tenacious of my resolve.