Armour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


Early Origins of the Armour family

The surname Armour was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Armundus (without surname) was listed as a tenant. 1 Armour was an occupational name as in 'the armourer,' one who made armour. 2 3

Other records of the name mention Gwydo le Armerer, who was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273-1279. The same rolls found John Armourer in County Cambridge. 2 Later Simon Larmouorer was later registered in 1334. 3 Thomas Larmer was found in Lancashire in 1400. John Armourer was Mayor of Rising, Norfolk in 1343. 4

To the north in Scotland, Adam le Armore and his wife Cunnore made a petition for redress against a distraint by the parson of Forde, Berwick. Simon le Armurer or Symon Larmeurer, a Scottish prisoner of war was held in Stirling Castle in 1305. Symon Armourer was bailie of Peeblesshire in 1329 and in 1337 John Armurer was one of the garrison of Edinburgh Castle. Symon Armourer was bailie of Forfar in 1361. This may be the same Simon Armurer who was party to an indenture or agreement with the inhabitants of Montrose in 1372. Robert Armorer who was bailie of Lanark in 1400 may be the Robert Armerer who held a tenement in Glasgow in 1497. 5

Early History of the Armour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Armour research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1620, 1659, 1686 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Armour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Armour Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Armour occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Armour, Armor, Lamor, Lamour, Armer, Larmer, Aarmour, Larrimer, Armourer and many more.

Early Notables of the Armour family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was William Armorer of Cumberland; and Sir Nicholas Armorer (c.1620-1686), was a Royalist army officer during the English Civil...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Armour Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Armour Ranking

In the United States, the name Armour is the 5,379th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Armour family to Ireland

Some of the Armour family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Armour migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Armour, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Armour Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Armour Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Armour Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Armour migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Armour Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Armour Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Armour migration to Australia +

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

Armour Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Armour 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:

Armour Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Armour (post 1700) +


The Armour 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: Cassis tutissima virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is the safest helmet.


Suggested Readings for the name Armour +
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