Dunmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Dunmore lived among the ancient Scottish people called the Picts. The Dunmore family lived on the lands of Dundemore in Fife where the family has a long and distinguished history dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name literally means "the fortified hill," and many old strongholds in Scotland are so called. 1

Early Origins of the Dunmore family

The surname Dunmore was first found in Fife, in the territories of Dundemore, near Lindores. One of the first records of the name was Henry de Dundemore who witnessed a confirmation charter by John, Earl of Huntigdoun of land in Kynalchmund to the Abbey of Arboirath c. 1219 and later witnessed another charter by the same earl granting lands of Lundors to the monks of Lindores (c.1232-1237.) 2

In 1296, the Ragman Rolls listed Patrik de Dundemor and William de Dundemor as landholders in Fife.

Further to the south in England, Dinmore is an extra-parochial liberty, in the hundred of Grimsworth in Herefordshire. Here, "on Dinmore Hill was a commandery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, founded by a brother of the order, in the reign of Henry II." 3

Hope under Dinmore is found in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Originally recorded as Hope in the Domesday Book of 1086 4, it became in Latin, Hope sub Dinnemor in 1291. "Dinmore may be a Welsh name 'din mauer,' meaning 'great fort,' or alternatively 'marsh of a man called Dynna,' from the Old English personal name + "mor." 5

Dinmore Manor House is a large rural house that dates back to 1189 when it was thought to have been built by Knights Templar.

Early History of the Dunmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunmore research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1305, 1317, 1330, 1406, 1585, 1643, 1650, 1661, 1662, 1670, 1686, 1688, 1723 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Dunmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunmore Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Dunmore has appeared Dinsmore, Dinsmuir, Dunsmore, Dansmore, Dunmuir and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunmore family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dunmore Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dunmore family to Ireland

Some of the Dunmore family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunmore migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Dunmore:

Dunmore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Nelly Dunmore, aged 26, who landed in New York in 1774 6
John Dunmore, aged 12, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1775 6
Mary Dunmore, aged 27, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1775 6

Dunmore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Richard Dunmore, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1854 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Dunmore (post 1700) +

Watson Thomas Dunmore (1845-1929), American Republican politician, Oneida County Judge, 1899; Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention 36th District, 1915 7
Russell Goodier Dunmore (1884-1935), American Republican politician, Member of New York state Assembly from Oneida County 2nd District, 1922-35 7
John Dunmore CNZM JP (1923-2023), French-born New Zealand academic, historian, author, playwright, and publisher, awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
Mr. Andrew John Dunmore B.E.M., British Constable for Metropolitan Police Service, was appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Policing 8
Helen Dunmore FRSL (1952-2017), English poet, novelist and children's writer
John Dunmore CMNZ, Légion d'honneur (b. 1923), New Zealand academic, historian, author, playwright, and publisher
John Dunmore Lang (1799-1878), Australian Presbyterian clergyman, writer, politician and activist

The Dunmore 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: Spes anchora tuta
Motto Translation: Hope is a safe anchor.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists