Show ContentsBanermend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Banermend

What does the name Banermend mean?

The descendants of the clans of the ancient Scottish tribe known as the Picts were the first to use the name Banermend. It was a name for a person who was the standard bearer for the king. While the origin of this name is still somewhat in dispute, most references agree that the name is derived from the Old English word banere and the word man.

According to family lore, during the reign of Malcolm III, the King went north to fight rebellious subjects, and at the Spey he saw the bannerman shrink (fall.) The King pulled the banner from him and gave it to Sir Alexander Carron, the ancestor of the Viscounts and Earls of Dundee, father of the Carron whose name was changed to Scrymgour, and the King at once created him knight. The crest now is a demi-man in armour, his right hand grasping a sword, and the motto "Pro Patria" (for my country.) At that time the former banner-bearer and his successive were ordained to carry in their crest a banner and were standard-bearers to the Scottish kings. 1

Early Origins of the Banermend family

The surname Banermend was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat at Clyntreys. The first of the name on record is Dovinaldus (Donald) Bannerman, King's Physician to King David II of Scotland in the year 1368, although traditionally the family claim that their progenitor was Standard Bearer to Malcolm Canmore in Scotland about the year 1070. 2

Early History of the Banermend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Banermend research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1382, 1400, 1467, 1500 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Banermend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Banermend Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Banermend has been spelled Bannerman, Bannaman, Bannermane, Banerman, Banermain, Bannermain and many more.

Early Notables of the Banermend family

More information is included under the topic Early Banermend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Banermend family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Banermend: John Bannerman landed in North America in 1766; William Bennerman settled in Virginia in 1635; Mark Benerman settled in St. Christopher in 1716.



The Banermend 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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country.


  1. Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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