Show ContentsArmay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Armay family

The surname Armay was first found in Lincolnshire where the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Osgooby, held by Odo the Bishop of Bayeux, the King's half brother who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. The parish Silk Willoughby in Lincolnshire was an ancient family seat for the family.

"The manor was possessed by Sir William Armyn, at first keeper of the privy seal and vice-chancellor to Edward II., and afterwards lord chancellor, and bishop of Norwich; it remained in the family until 1662." 1

One branch "was of Yorkshire origin, and has been traced to one Sewal de Armyne, stated to be the grandfather of Richard and William de Ayreminne, the well-known ecclesiastics of the fourteenth century." 2

William de Ayreminne or Ayermin (d. 1336) was "Bishop of Norwich, [and] was descended from an ancient family settled at Osgodby, Lincolnshire. He was the eldest of three brothers, of whom Richard obtained many ecclesiastical offices, and Adam became Archdeacon of Norfolk. " 2

Richard de Ayreminne or Ayermin (d. 1340?) was Chancellor of the dioceses of Norwich and Salisbury and was a younger brother of William de Ayreminne, Bishop of Norwich. 2

Early History of the Armay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Armay research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1401, 1510, 1570, 1593, 1600, 1603, 1610, 1621, 1622, 1646, 1651, 1658 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Armay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Armay Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Armine, Armyne, Airmine, Airmyne, Airmin, Ermine, Ermyne, Armyn, Armyne, Ermyn, Ayrmine and many more.

Early Notables of the Armay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Airmine, 1st Baronet (1593-1651), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1651; Sir William Airmine (1622-1658), 2nd Baronet of Osgodby (1651-1658), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons (1646-53), son of Sir William Airmine, 1st Baronet (1593-1651.) Lady Mary Armine, Airmine or Armyne (died 1676), was a learned English gentlewoman and benefactor. She was "remarkable for her learning, piety, and benevolence...
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Armay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Armay family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Armay or a variant listed above: Alice Armson, aged 25, who arrived at Ellis Island from London, in 1897; August Armson, aged 40, who arrived at Ellis Island from Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., in 1910.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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