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?

From the ancient and beautiful Italian island of Sicily emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Palmer. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they were characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most traditional type of family name found in the region of Sicily is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, local surnames are also found. Local names, which are the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy, are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, and does not necessarily denote nobility. The Palmer family lived in the territory of Palma, which is in Campania, in the province of Naples. The surname Palma was also a patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Palma, which was common in medieval times. The personal name Palma literally means palm, which is the Christian symbol of peace.

Early Origins of the Palmer family

The surname Palmer was first found in Naples, (Italian: Napoli, Latin: Neapolis) former capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in southern Italy. Research shows that records of the Palmer family date back to 1190, with Tancredi and Riccardo di Palma, who took their surname from the territory of Palma, near Naples, which they possessed at this time. Naples shares with Instanbul the claim to be the most beautiful city in Europe. Naples has 237 Churches and 57 Chapels. The National Museum and other galleries contain riches in art and artifacts. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry. The first record of this illustrious family was Trancredi di Riccardi di Palma. Tandcredi or Tandred was a Norman Prince, son of Robert Guiscard who held most of southern Italy in 1070. Trancred embarked on the first Crusade and was also a Prince of the Holy Land and may have adopted the name Palma from the symbol of the Crusade.

Early History of the Palmer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Palmer research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1310, 1320, 1480, 1528, 1644, 1664, 1730, 1754, 1814 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Palmer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Palmer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Palma, Palmer, Palmeri, Palmaro, Palmerini, Palerino and many more.

Early Notables of the Palmer family

  • Guido Palmerucci, born in Gubbio in 1280, a famous painter and Marco Palmazzano, also a painter, renowned for his talents during the mid 15th century. He was known for producing numerous copies of eac...

Palmer World Ranking

the United States, the name Palmer is the 151st most popular surname with an estimated 154,194 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Palmer is ranked the 293rd most popular surname with an estimated 14,920 people with that name. 2 And in France, the name Palmer is the 6,818th popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Palmer as 121st with 22,087 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Palmer as 134th with 3,506 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Palmer as 88th with 52,748 people. 6

Palmer migration to the United States +



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 8
  • Mr. William Palmer, Jr., who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 aboard the ship "Fortune" 9
  • Mr. William Palmer, Jr., who arrived in Plymouth, Mass aboard the ship "Anne", son of William Palmer 10
  • Mrs. Frances Palmer, who arrived in Plymouth, MA in 1623 aboard the "Anne", wife of William Palmer 8
  • ... (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 8
  • Elizabeth Palmer, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1706-1707 8
  • Isaac Palmer, who landed in Virginia in 1714 8
  • Mary Palmer, who landed in Virginia in 1718 8
  • Jacob Palmer, aged 26, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 8
  • ... (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 8
  • James Palmer, who arrived in America in 1824 8
  • David Palmer, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1826 8
  • Juan Palmer, aged 48, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 8
  • Andrew Palmer, aged 36, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1836 8
  • ... (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 11
  • 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 11
  • 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 11
  • Mr. Joseph Palmer U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
  • 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 11
  • ... (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 12
  • 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 13

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 7
  • 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 8
  • 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 8
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 8
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 8
  • 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 15
  • 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 16
  • 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 16
  • 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 17
  • 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) 18
  • ... (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 19
  • 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 20
  • 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 20
  • 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. 21
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 10
  • Mr. Ellis Palmer, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 22
  • Mr. Victor Palmer, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 22
  • Mr. George Palmer, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 22
  • Mr. Richard Palmer, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 22
  • ... (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 23
  • 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 24
  • 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 24
  • 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 24
  • ... (Another 29 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  8. 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)
  9. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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
  12. 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)
  13. 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)
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  24. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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