Newman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The name Newman comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a stranger or newcomer. The surname Newman 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 Newman family

The surname Newman 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 Newman family

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

Newman Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Newman has undergone many spelling variations, including Newman, Newmen, Newmin and others.

Early Notables of the Newman family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Newman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Newman is the 300th most popular surname with an estimated 89,532 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Newman is ranked the 481st most popular surname with an estimated 10,050 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Newman is the 244th popular surname with an estimated 179 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Newman as 207th with 16,067 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Newman as 258th with 2,362 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Newman as 162nd with 33,269 people. 12

Migration of the Newman family to Ireland

Some of the Newman 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.


Newman migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. 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 Newman were among those contributors:

Newman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Newman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Newman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Newman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Newman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Newman migration to Australia +

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

Newman Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Newman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Newman 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:

Newman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Newman (post 1700) +


The Newman 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Newman +
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