| ![Show Contents]() Downman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancient roots of the Downman family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Downman comes from when the family lived in the parish of Dunham, in the county of Norfolk. The place-name is made up of two old English elements: dun, which is a word for hill; and ham, which means home. The translation of the name is home on the hill. Early Origins of the Downman familyThe surname Downman was first found in Norfolk at Downham Market, often referred to as Downham, a town and civil parish. The place dates back to c. 1050 and was listed later in 1086 in the Domesday Book as Dunham. However, there are several more listings of the place name including Little Downham in Cambridgeshire, Downham, Lancashire and Downham, Essex. Wilmslow in Cheshire was an ancient family seat for the family. "The church is a handsome and very ancient structure in the decorated and later English styles, with a square tower; it comprises a nave, chancel, and two aisles, of which the east end of one and the west end of the other are inclosed as sepulchral chapels, for the families of Dunham and Trafford." 1 Downham Estate is a housing estate in Downham, south east London named in honour of Lord Downham, who was chairman of the London County Council between 1919-1920. Downham Hall is an English country house in Downham, Lancashire, but this estate was never held by anyone with the family name. Early History of the Downman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Downman research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1332, 1511, 1561, 1577, 1579, 1585, 1634 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Downman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Downman Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Downman has appeared include Dunham, Dunnam, Downham, Dounham, Downnam and others. Early Notables of the Downman familyDistinguished members of the family include William Downham (1511-1577) chaplain to Princess Elizabeth, Bishop of Chester (1561-1577.)William Damon or Daman was one of Queen Elizabeth's musicians and is probably the earliest composer who set the Psalms in the vernacular to part-music. His work appeared first in 1579, printed by John Day. 2George Downham or Downame (d. 1634), was...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Downman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Downman family to Ireland
Some of the Downman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Downman migration to the United States | + |
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Downman arrived in North America very early:
Downman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Cressell Downman, who landed in Virginia in 1650 3
- Zach Downman, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 3
- Sarah Downman, who landed in Virginia in 1697 3
Downman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Eliz Downman, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name Downman (post 1700) | + |
- Admiral Hugh Downman (1765-1858), British Naval officer from Plympton, Devon who saw service during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
- Hugh Downman (1740-1809), English physician and poet, son of Hugh Downman of Newton House, Newton St. Cyres, Exeter
- Edward Andrews Downman (d. 1931), English Anglican clergyman and antiquary
- Sir Thomas Downman (1776-1852), British lieutenant-general, elder son of Lieutenant-colonel Francis Downman, nephew of John Downman, the artist 4
- John Downman ARA (1750-1824), Welsh portrait and subject painter, born near Ruabon, Denbighshire
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
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Downman migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
