Show ContentsPymm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pymm name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Pymm is derived from the name Euphemia where it is a short form of that name. The surname Pymm originally derived from the Old English word Pymma which came from Euphemia. The surname Pymm referred to the son of Euphemia which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. [1]

Early Origins of the Pymm family

The surname Pymm was first found in Somerset where the family can be "traced to Philip Pym, of Brymmore, 12 Edward IV." [2] Indeed, there is much debate about the origin of this name. Another reference claims "considering that Eufemia is fairly common in the Hundredorum Rolls, that Pimme is feminine, and Phemie is still the nickname, it all but certain that we have here the solution of the name in question. Personally I have no doubt that this derivation is correct. " [1]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists the following: Eufemmia de Neville in Lincolnshire; Katerina Eufemme in Norfolk; Pimme, widow of Peter Seman in Cumberland; Bartholomew filius Pimme in Hunts; Chun Pimme in Cambridge and finally, Henry Pimme in Cambridge. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, list Agnes Pyme and Johannes Pymson. [3]

In Somerset, Roger Pym was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III) [4] "The family of John Pym, the regicide, were of respectable antiquity in Somersetshire, being traced to Philip Pym, of Brymmore, co. Somerset, 12. Edward IV. " [2]

Early History of the Pymm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pymm research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1440, 1584, 1615, 1641, 1643, 1648, 1660, 1663 and 1671 are included under the topic Early Pymm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pymm Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Pymm were recorded, including Pym, Pymm, Pyme, Pymme, Pim, Pimm, Pimme and others.

Early Notables of the Pymm family

Distinguished members of the family include John Pym (1584-1643), English statesman from Bridgwater, Somerset who moved for the impeachment of advisers to Charles I; his actions led to the English Civil War; and Sir...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pymm Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Pymm family to Ireland

Some of the Pymm 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.


United States Pymm migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Pymm family emigrate to North America:

Pymm Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Eliza Pymm, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 [5]

West Indies Pymm 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. [6]
Pymm Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Richard Pymm, who settled in Barbados in 1667

SS Atlantic
  • J. Pymm, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. 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)
  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies


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