Show ContentsPalmer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Palmer Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Palmer

What does the name Palmer mean?

Palmer is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a person who worked as a palmer. The surname Palmer was originally derived from the Old French word palmer, which was taken from the Latin word palmifer meaning palm bearer. In this case the original bearer of the surname was a pilgrim who carried palm branches back from the Holy Land. In early history the name Palmer represented a missionary. 1

Early Origins of the Palmer family

The surname Palmer was first found in "the east of England, especially in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Kent." 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include the following: Alice le Palmere in Cambridgeshire; Ralph le Palmere in Yorkshire; and Robert le Palmere in Lincolnshire. Richard le Palmere was listed in Somerset during the reign of Edward III and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Ricardus Palmer as a mason. 3

Ladbroke Hall in Ladbroke, near Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire was the home of the Palmer family since 1633 when it was purchased by William Palmer. "The church [of Ladbroke] is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a lofty and elegant spire, and contains several monuments, chiefly to the Palmer family." 4

Due to the nature of the surname, it was not surprising to find entries in early Scotland too. Hugh Palmer witnessed resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204, and in 1253 Ricardus Palmerus de Kingore attested a memorandum of the ornaments of the chapel of Dundemor. Alexander Palmer witnessed a sale of land in Glasgow, c. 1280-1290, Elye Palmere held a land in Waldeuegate, Berwick, in 1307 and Hugh Palmere was "messager" of the Earl of Douglas in 1397. 5

Early History of the Palmer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Palmer research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1090, 1634, 1705, 1731, 1735, 1872 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Palmer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Palmer Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Palmer are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Palmer include Palmer, Pallmer, Parmer, Balmer, Ballmer, Polmear and others.

Early Notables of the Palmer family

  • Sir James Palmer of Dorney Court, Buckinghamshire
  • Roger Palmer, 1st Earl of Castlemaine, PC (1634-1705), an English courtier, diplomat, and politician, his wife Barbara Villiers was one of Charles II's mistresses
  • Thomas Palmer, MP FRS (died 1735), a British politician, Member of Parliament for Bridgewater (1731-1735)
  • Sir Roundell Palmer, Lord High Chancellor of England, who was made Lord Selborne in 1872

Palmer World Ranking

the United States, the name Palmer is the 151st most popular surname with an estimated 154,194 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Palmer is ranked the 293rd most popular surname with an estimated 14,920 people with that name. 7 And in France, the name Palmer is the 6,818th popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Palmer as 121st with 22,087 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Palmer as 134th with 3,506 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Palmer as 88th with 52,748 people. 11

Migration of the Palmer family to Ireland

Some of the Palmer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 167 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Palmer migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Palmer, or a variant listed above:

Palmer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Palmer, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Tyger"
  • Daniel Palmer, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 13
  • Mr. William Palmer, Jr., who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 aboard the ship "Fortune" 14
  • Mr. William Palmer, Jr., who arrived in Plymouth, Mass aboard the ship "Anne", son of William Palmer 15
  • Mrs. Frances Palmer, who arrived in Plymouth, MA in 1623 aboard the "Anne", wife of William Palmer 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Palmer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliza Palmer, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
  • Elizabeth Palmer, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1706-1707 13
  • Isaac Palmer, who landed in Virginia in 1714 13
  • Mary Palmer, who landed in Virginia in 1718 13
  • Jacob Palmer, aged 26, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Palmer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Esther Palmer, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 13
  • James Palmer, who arrived in America in 1824 13
  • David Palmer, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1826 13
  • Juan Palmer, aged 48, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 13
  • Andrew Palmer, aged 36, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1836 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Palmer migration to Canada +

Palmer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Elliott Palmer U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 16
  • Mr. John Palmer U.E. who arrived in Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 350 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 16
  • Mr. Theodore Palmer U.E. (b. 1767), aged 16 who arrived in Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 108 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 16
  • Mr. Joseph Palmer U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 16
  • Mr. Gideon Palmer U.E. (b. 1749) who settled in Westmoreland County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he was a Coroner for Westmoreland County, New Brunswick, he died in 1824 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Palmer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Noah Palmer, who arrived in Canada in 1828
  • Merritt Palmer, who arrived in Canada in 1830
  • Mr Samuel Palmer, aged 46, a Policeman at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died there on 6th October 1847 during the typhus epidemic 17
  • Mr. John Palmer who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lotus" departing 15th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 24th June 1847 but he died on board 18

Palmer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Henry Palmer, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
  • Mr. John Palmer, British settler convicted at Hampshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing Iron, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. William Palmer, British settler convicted at Kent, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Palmer, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. John Henry Palmer, (b. 1755), aged 32, English convicted in London on 6th April 1785, sentenced for life for forgery, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, he died aboard the ship 13
  • Mr. Christopher Palmer, (1767 - 1821), British servant to Andrew Miller on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
  • Mr. John Palmer, (1760 - 1833), British purser on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Palmer Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Palmer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Palmer, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Mr. John Palmer, British settler  who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the  "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Mr. John Chapel Palmer, British settler  who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the  "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Mr. William Palmer, (Wells), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
  • Mr. William Palmer, British Convict who was convicted in Northhampton, Northamptonshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Palmer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Palmer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. E. Palmer, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1838 24
  • G.T. Palmer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Mr. Richard Palmer, (b. 1813), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 25
  • Mrs. Eliza Palmer, (b. 1813), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 25
  • Richard Palmer, aged 27, a carpenter, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Palmer migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 26
Palmer Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Ann Palmer, aged 29 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 15
  • Mr. Ellis Palmer, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 27
  • Mr. Victor Palmer, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 27
  • Mr. George Palmer, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 27
  • Mr. Richard Palmer, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 27
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Palmer (post 1700) +

  • Arnold Daniel "The King" Palmer (1929-2016), famous American Golfer who won numerous PGA championships, winner of the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998
  • A. Laurie Palmer, contemporary American artist, writer, and activist
  • A. Worrall Palmer, American politician, for New York 15th District, 1904
  • Alice J. Palmer (1939-2023), née Roberts, an American educator and politician, Member of the Illinois Senate
  • Thomas John "Tom" Palmer (1941-2022), American comic book artist best known as an inker for Marvel Comics, recipient of an Alley Award, 1969 and Inkpot Award (2010)
  • Carlton Devan "Corky" Palmer (1954-2022), American college head baseball coach at Meridian Community College (1987-1996) and later head coach of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball team for 12 seasons
  • Peter Webster Palmer (1931-2021), American actor best known for his portrayal of Li'l Abner, alongside Edie Adams, both on Broadway and on film
  • Mike De Palmer (1961-2021), American professional tennis player who coached Boris Becker for several years
  • Krysta Palmer (b. 1992), American diver who won gold and bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games
  • ... (Another 306 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Gary Kent Palmer (1950-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 28
  • Mr. Edward James Palmer (1916-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 29
  • Mr. David Lloyd Palmer (1948-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Stanmore Bay, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 29
  • Victor Albert Palmer (d. 1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Mrs. Ethel Palmer (1888-1914), née Short English First Class Passenger from London, England, United Kingdom who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 29
  • ... (Another 29 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Palmer 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: Palma virtuti
Motto Translation: The palm is for virtue.

Suggested Readings for the name Palmer +

  • Freeman-Palmer and Related Families by Mary Ann Palmer-Schrepfer.
  • A Genealogy of Palmers by Andrew Stillman.
  • Memoirs: With Histories of Pound-Murphy-Willingham-Palmer-Pitts Families by Jerome B. Pound.
  1. 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)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. 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)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  16. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  17. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 61)
  18. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 92)
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  23. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  24. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  25. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  27. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  28. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  29. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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