Rumfit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Rumfit surname lived in Middlesex, where they took their name from the place-name Romford, which means "wide ford," and was probably one of the principle crossings of the River Thames before Romford was absorbed by the Greater London. The place-name was recorded as Romfort in 1177. 1

Early Origins of the Rumfit family

The surname Rumfit was first found in Essex at Romford, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the liberty of Haveringatte-Bower. "It is supposed by Dr. Stukeley to occupy the site of the Roman station Durolitum, and he considers its name to be a contraction of Romanford." 2

Early History of the Rumfit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rumfit research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1233 is included under the topic Early Rumfit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rumfit Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Rumfit are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Rumfit include: Rumford, Romford, Rumfitt and others.

Early Notables of the Rumfit family

More information is included under the topic Early Rumfit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rumfit family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Rumfit or a variant listed above: William Rumford, aged 22; settled in Maryland in 1775.

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.