Show ContentsLimer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Limer is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Limer family lived in Norfolk. Their name, however, is a reference to their place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, St. Lomer, Normandy, now called Lomer-Sur-Guerne. Alternatively, Leomer was listed as a baptismal name in the Domesday Book. [1]

Early Origins of the Limer family

The surname Limer was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from early times, after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They were originally from St. Lomer, a parish in Normandy, which is now called Lomer-Sur-Guerne. The name was anciently written Villa Sancti Lauomari. [2]

"William de Lymars, of Leicestershire, fought in the Baronial army temp. Henry III. Stanton-Lymar, by Keworth, Nottinghamshire, took its name from John de Lymare, who, held it 30 Edward I.In 1257, on the death of John de St Amand, it was found that his sister Lucy, then the wife of Sir John de Lymare, was his next heir." [3]

Early History of the Limer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Limer research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1693, 1718, 1722 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Limer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Limer Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Lomer, Lombe, Lomber, Lomener, Lomnyer, Lomar and others.

Early Notables of the Limer family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Lomber; and John Lombe (1693-1722), an English silk spinner from Derby who obtained a Silk Spinning Patent in 1718 for fourteen years who with his half-brother built Lombe's Mill in 1722, only for his to...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Limer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Limer family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Limer or a variant listed above: John Lomber settled in Philadelphia in 1808.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3


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