Show ContentsGermon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Germon is thought to be of Norman origins. Originally, Germon was a name given to 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]

Germon 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 Germon family

The surname Germon 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 Germon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Germon 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 Germon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Germon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Germon have been found, including German, Germans, Jermain, Jarman and others.

Early Notables of the Germon family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Robert 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...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Germon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Germon Ranking

In France, the name Germon is the 9,111st most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Germon family to Ireland

Some of the Germon 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.

Migration of the Germon family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Germon were among those contributors: Thomas German who landed in Maryland in 1654; John German settled in Pennsylvania, with his wife Margaret, and two daughters, in 1683; Thomas German settled in Maryland in 1660.


Contemporary Notables of the name Germon (post 1700) +

  • Germon H. Hunt, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1888 [5]


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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