Semmance History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Semmance is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It is derived from the Old English "saemann," meaning "sea-man," and was likely first borne by a sailor. "Sæmann occurs in Domesday-Book. Seman is the usual 13th-cent [version of the name] Occasionally this name may represent the Anglo-Saxon Saemund [Old English sae, sea+mund, protector] and Sigemund [Old English sige, victory]" 1

"In the Domesday of Surrey there is a Seman, who held lands before the making of that record. Anglo-Saxon Sae-mann, a sailor." 2

Early Origins of the Semmance family

The surname Semmance was first found in Suffolk, where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Seman de Reston; Seman le Carpenter; Seman Eche; and Robert filius Seman at that time. The first record of the family was listed in Hodgson's History of Northumberland where John filius Semanni was listed there in 1169. 3

Kirby's Quest lists Seman le Collar in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward's reign.) 4

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Robertus Saymon. 3

Early History of the Semmance family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Semmance research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1044, 1273, 1606, 1628, 1675 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Semmance History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Semmance Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Seaman, Seamom, Semon, Seman, Seamons, Semones and many more.

Early Notables of the Semmance family

Distinguished members of the family include William Seaman (1606-1680), English Orientalist, first translator of the New Testament into Turkish. In 1628 he became rector of Upton-Scudamore, a living in the gift of Queen's College, Oxford, which he held up to the time of his death. Lazarus Seaman (died 1675), was an English Puritan divine, a native of Leicester, where he was born...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Semmance Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Semmance family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Seaman, who came to Connecticut in 1640; Ed Seaman, who settled in Virginia in 1669; George Seaman, who immigrated to Barbados in 1685; Benjamin Seaman, who was naturalized in New York in 1776.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.