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