Lamming History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The distinguished surname Lamming emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Lamming is derived from the Old French name Lambert. This is derived from the Old German names Lambert and Lanbert, which literally mean land-bright. The surname Lamming is derived from the pet form Lamb, and features the diminutive suffix -in. 1

"The 'g' in Laming, &c, is excrescent, and the 'p' for 'b' in Lampin is a common exchange." 2

Early Origins of the Lamming family

The surname Lamming was first found in Kent where as a forename, Lambin Frese was listed in the Pipe Rolls in 1181. The Latin form of the name Lambinus was later listed in Kent in 1197 and in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1221. Later again, Robert Lambin was registered in the Subsidy Rolls for London in 1292. John Lanbyn was found in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1302 and in Berkshire in 1305. 3

"Lambyn Clay played before the King at Westminster, at the great festival in 1306 (Popular Music of the Olden Time, Chappell, i. 29'). Later the 'b' has been dropped, and Laming or Lamming are the usual forms, especially in Lincolnshire, where Lambert (owing to Flemish immigration) was exceedingly common in the surname period." 2

The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III listed Henry Lambin, London, 20 Edward I; and Edmund Lambin, London. 2

In Scotland, "Lambyn Asa had a grant of the lands of Draffan and Dardarach, c. 1147-1160. He gave name to the manor of Lamington in Lanarkshire. William, son of Lambyn, held a toft in Perth, c. 1200." 4

Farther to the south in the parish of Linkinghorne, Cornwall "the monks seem to have held the great tithes until the Reformation; soon after which they became vested in the family of Lampen, by whom those on the eastern side of the Lynher were sold about the year 1680 to the family of CloBerry. " 5

"The manor of Padreda, [in the parish Linkinghorne, Cornwall] of which contained a seat of the Lampens, was sold by that family about the year 1680; soon after which it lost its manorial rights." 5

Early History of the Lamming family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lamming research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1683 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Lamming History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamming Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Lambin, Lampen, Lampin, Lamin, Laming, Lammin, Lamming, Lambing, Lamping, Lambyn, Lamyn, Lambingham, Lammin and many more.

Early Notables of the Lamming family

More information is included under the topic Early Lamming Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamming migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Lamming:

Lamming Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Lamming, who was naturalized in Kansas in 1885

Lamming migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lamming Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Lamming, English farm labourer who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
Mr. Ishmael Lamming, British Convict who was convicted in Lincoln, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 7
George Thomas Lamming, aged 31, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Escort"

Contemporary Notables of the name Lamming (post 1700) +

David W. Lamming (1936-2010), English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s
Richard Lamming, British founding editor of the Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management
George Eric Lamming (b. 1927), West Indian novelist based in England whose works include "In the Castle of My Skin" (1953) and "Season of Adventure" (1960)

The Lamming 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: Agnus Dei mihi salus
Motto Translation: The lamb of God is my salvation

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835