| ![Show Contents]() Gerham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of GerhamWhat does the name Gerham mean? The Gerham family name dates back to 1066 when the Norman Conquest of England introduced a plethora of new names and words into Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person of German descent, or a person who was associated with that country through trade or other means. Another derivation of the name suggests that it derives from the Old French given name Germain. This name was borne by a popular French saint from the 5th century, and also meant of the same stock, or related to. Germanus (378?-448), was "Bishop of Auxerre, and missionary to Britain, son of noble parents whose names are given as Rusticus and Germanilla, was born at Auxerre about 378, and after attending schools in Gaul went to study at Rome. " 1 Gerham is a classic example of an polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently. Early Origins of the Gerham familyThe surname Gerham was first found in Essex where Jerman filius Willelmi was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1248. 2 However, Germanus was earlier listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 3 Early History of the Gerham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gerham research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1248, 1250, 1279, 1318, 1377, 1397, 1402, 1650, 1680, 1718, 1738 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Gerham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gerham Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include German, Germans, Jermain, Jarman and others. Early Notables of the Gerham familyRobert German (died 1402), English politician, Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Nottingham from 1377 to 1397.
Sir John Germain, 1st Baronet (1650-1718), was a British soldier and politician, thought to have been an illegitimate half-brother of William III of England. "His mother, who was very handsome, is stated to have been that prince's mistress, and Germain is said to have assumed 'as his seal and armorial bearing' a red cross, implying pretensions to exalted parentage. " 1
Lady Elizabeth or Betty Germain (1680-1769)...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gerham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Gerham family to IrelandSome of the Gerham 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.
| Gerham migration to the United States | + |
Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Gerham or a variant listed above:
Gerham Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Reginald Gerham, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1909
- Robert Gerham, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1922
- John Gerham, aged 51, who landed in America, in 1922
- Emillo Gerham, aged 20, who immigrated to America, in 1923
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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