Norma History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

The Norma surname is ultimately derived from the Scandinavian word "noromenn," meaning "men from the north." It came to Britain with pre-Conquest Scandianavian settlers, and became a personal name among the Saxons. This name also came to Britain following the Norman conquest; in this instance, it was most likely a name for someone from the town of Normanville in the French province of Normandy.

Early Origins of the Norma family

The surname Norma was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they were granted lands by King David of Scotland. "Norman was also a surname in Dumfriesshire in thirteenth century." 1

Early records of the family first appeared in their Latin form. One of the first records notes Normanus as a witness of David's great charter to Holyrood in circa 1128. Years later, Nonnannus, constapularius de Enneroury (Invsrurie), was charter witness, c. 1180 and William, son of Norman, burgess of Aberdeen, was one of the witnesses to a charter by Fergus, earl of Buchan, c. 1189-99. John Normand, was juror on inquisition in Roxbergh in 1303. 1

Early History of the Norma family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Norma research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1303 and 1324 are included under the topic Early Norma History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Norma Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Norman, Normanby, Normanville, Normand and others.

Early Notables of the Norma family

Notable among the family at this time was

Norman of Argyllshire

Migration of the Norma family to Ireland

Some of the Norma 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 Norma family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Charles Norman, who settled in Virginia in 1695; Dickery Norman settled in Virginia in 1638; George Norman settled in Bermuda in 1635; Henry Norman settled in Virginia in 1637.

Contemporary Notables of the name Norma (post 1700) +

Edith Norma Shearer (1902-1983), Canadian-born, American five-time Academy Award nominated actress, one of the most popular actresses in the world from the mid-1920s until her retirement in 1942
Julieta Norma Fierro Gossman (b. 1948), Mexican astrophysicist and science communicator
Norma Fernandes (1946-2024), Pakistani teacher from Karachi, she was honored in 2014 with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for her services to education
Norma Levor Barzman (1920-2023), American screenwriter, actress and writer who was active in the film industry in the Golden Age of Hollywood
Norma A. Berger Taylor (1932-2023), American baseball pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1950 season
Norma A. Berger Taylor (1932-2023), American baseball pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1950 season
Norma Hunt (d. 2023), American wife of former Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt until his death in 2006
Norma Whiteman (1927-2023), also known by her married name Betty Norma Johnston, an Australian cricketer who played seven Test matches for the Australia women's national cricket team between 1948 and 1951
Norma Waterson (1939-2022), English musician, best known as one of the original members of The Watersons, a celebrated English traditional folk group.
Norma Leah McCorvey (1947-2017), better known by the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe", American plaintiff in the famous lawsuit Roe v. Wade

The Norma 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: Auxillium ab alto
Motto Translation: Aid from above.

Citations +

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)