Show ContentsNemarch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Nemarch

What does the name Nemarch mean?

Nemarch is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Nemarch family lived in Breckonshire, Wales. Their name, however, is a reference to Neuf-Marche, near Neufchatel, Normandy. 1

Another source spells the place name differently and provides more details. The family is "from the castle of Neumarché in Normandy, which, about 1060, was seized by Duke William, to the prejudice of its inheritor, Geoffrey de Newmarch. (Ord. Vitalis.) Geoffrey’s son Bernard was one of the Conqueror’s companions-at-arms, and witnesses one of his charters to Battle Abbey. He obtained his share of the spoil - a Welsh principality - by his own good sword; for, as Freeman expresses it, 'he used a soldier’s licence to appropriate the territory of Brecknock.' " 2

Early Origins of the Nemarch family

The surname Nemarch was first found in Breckonshire (Breconshire) in Wales where they held a family seat from the time of the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in the year 1066. Bernard of Neuf-Marche near Neufchatel in Normandy, a Norman noble at Hastings, founded a priory at Bracknock which was a cell of the Battel Abbey in Sussex. His successor, Baron Newmarch was summoned to Parliament. Adam de Newmarch was Baron Newmarch.

Early History of the Nemarch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nemarch research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1290 is included under the topic Early Nemarch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nemarch 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 Newmarch, Newmarche, Newmarsh, Newmarshe, Newmark, Numarch, Numarche, Numark, Newmack, Newdiche, Newdick and many more.

Early Notables of the Nemarch family

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

Migration of the Nemarch 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 Nemarch or a variant listed above: John Newmarch, who came to Rowley, MA in 1643; William Newmarch, who settled in Maryland in 1679; Jonathon Newmarsh, who settled in Virginia in 1726; H. Newmark who came to San Francisco Cal. in 1862.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 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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