The name Cambers is derived from the old French word "cha(u)mbre," meaning "chamber," and is thought to have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked in the private living quarters of the aristocracy.
The surname Cambers was first found in Denbighshire where they held lands at Llewenne, granted to John de Chambre from the Earl of Lincoln, who was Constable of Chester. John was a "nobelle Normanne who entred Englaunde in ye traine of King Williaume." [1]
"We also find Chalmer in Suffolk and Worcester in the 13th century: Roger le Chalmere in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1255; and Ralph le Chalmer in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275." [2]
More often than not, the singular form of the name was in use in early days. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Walter de la Chaumbre, Lincolnshire; and Henry de la Chambre, Lincolnshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Robertas del Chaumbire; Johannes del Chaumbir; Alicia Chaumbir, maydyne; and Willelimus del Chaumbir. [3]
John A Chamber or Chamberlayne (d. 1489), the English rebel, "a knight of great influence in the north, excited the people to join the rebellion headed by Sir John Egremond in Northumberland and Durham against the heavy subsidy of 1489. Henry, earl of Northumberland, who had orders to enforce the tax, endeavoured to persuade him to cease his agitation. Chamber would not hear him, and on 20 April the earl was slain by the rebels at Cock Lodge, near Thirsk. Then Thomas, earl of Surrey, was sent to put down the insurrection. He took Chamber and utterly routed the rebels. Chamber was executed at York 'in great state,' being hanged on 'a gibbet set on a square pair of gallows 'with his chief accomplices hanging 'upon the lower story round about him.' " [4]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cambers research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1219, 1240, 1351, 1472, 1556, 1528, 1571, 1624, 1582, 1560, 1633, 1560, 1583, 1588, 1658, 1628, 1628, 1726, 1796, 1775, 1592, 1609, 1593 and are included under the topic Early Cambers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Chambers, Chalmers, Chamer, Chalmairs, Challmers and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Chambers (d. 1556), the last abbot and the first Bishop of Peterborough, born at Peterborough. "He became a monk in the great Benedictine abbey of that place, and eventually elected its abbot in 1528. " [4]
Robert Chambers (1571-1624?), was a Catholic divine, a native of Yorkshire, and arrived as a boy at the English college at Rheims in December 1582. [4]
Sabine Chambers (1560?-1633), was a Jesuit, born in Leicestershire in or about 1560, and entered Broadgates Hall, Oxford, where he took the degrees in arts, that of master being completed in 1583...
Another 144 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cambers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Cambers family to IrelandSome of the Cambers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 318 words (23 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cambers migration to the United States +Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Cambers or a variant listed above:
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