Show ContentsBamper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bamper family

The surname Bamper was first found in Lancashire, at Bamber-Bridge, an ecclesiastical district, in the chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, parish, and Lower division of the hundred, of Blackburn, union of Preston. 1 2

Alternatively, the family could have originated in Bambrough, a parish, in the union of Belford, N. division of Bambrough ward and of Northumberland. "Bambrough, originally called Bebbanburg, was prior to the Conquest a royal burgh, and the residence of several of the kings of Northumbria. It sent two members to parliament in the 23rd of Edward I., and in the reign of Edward III. furnished one ship for the expedition against Calais. " 1

Nearby is Bambrough-Castle, a township, in the parish, and N. division of the ward, of Bambrough, union of Belford. "This township is principally distinguished for its castle, built about the middle of the sixth century, by Ida, the first Anglo-Saxon king of Northumbria. In 642 it was besieged by Penda, King of Mercia, who, after an unsuccessful attempt to set it on fire, was compelled to retreat. " 1

Thomas de Baumburgh (fl. 1332), was Clerk of the Chancery and Keeper of the Great Seal. He is mentioned in 1328 as then holding the living of Emildon in Northumberland. 3

Early History of the Bamper family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bamper research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1400, 1607, 1613, 1623, 1624, 1631, 1639, 1646 and 1987 are included under the topic Early Bamper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bamper Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bamper have been found, including Bamber, Bambar, Bambere, Bamburgh and others.

Early Notables of the Bamper family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bamper Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bamper family to Ireland

Some of the Bamper family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bamper family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Bamper, or a variant listed above: Robert Bamber who settled in Virginia in 1734; Margaret and Robert settled in New England in 1805.



The Bamper 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: Fortis et egregius
Motto Translation: Bold and excellent.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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