Romsay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Romsay family

The surname Romsay was first found in Hampshire at Romsey, a small market town and parish that dates back to Saxon times when it was first listed as Rummaesig c. 970. 1

"This place, which derives its name from the Saxon, was selected as the site of an abbey for nuns of the Benedictine order by Edward the Elder, whose daughter Elfleda was the first abbess. The foundation was augmented in 967, by Edgar, whose son Edmund was interred in the abbey church; all the early abbesses were of royal birth, and eminent for their sanctity. " 2

By the time of the Domesday Book, 3 the town was known as Romesy 1 and was known as the lannds of Romsey, held by Hundger, a Norman noble who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 3

Early History of the Romsay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Romsay research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1306, 1331, 1584, 1640, 1642, 1645, 1647 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Romsay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Romsay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Romsey, Rumsey, Romsie, Rumsie, Roomsy, Roumsey and others.

Early Notables of the Romsay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Walter Rumsey (1584-1660) was a Welsh judge and politician born in Llanover, Monmouthshire who sat in the House of Commons in 1640. "He secured a large practice, and was popularly styled the 'Picklock of the Law.' He was chosen one of the knights of the shire for Monmouth in the Short parliament of 1640. On the outbreak...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Romsay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Romsay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Romsay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Richard Romsay U.E., (Ramsay) who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Penobscot Association 4

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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