Seymar Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Today's generation of the Seymar family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Seymar family lived in Monmouthshire. Their name, however, is a reference to St. Maur, near Avranches, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Seymar Early Origins

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The surname Seymar was first found in Monmouthshire. However, records differ on who was the progenitor of the family. One reference claims that Wido de St. Maur came to England in 1066 but was deceased before 1086 and would have therefore not appeared in the Domesday Book. His Son William Fits-Wido held a barony in Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucester and ten manors in Somerset. The other reference claims they were descended from Roger Sancto Maure who lived during the reign of Henry I and was Lord of Seymour Castle.

Seymar Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Seymar include St. Maur, Seymour, Seymer, Seymar, Seamor, Seamour, Seemour and many more.

Seymar Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Seymar research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1458, 1508, 1537, 1474, 1536, 1547, 1549, 1528, 1593, 1563, 1613, 1599, 1674, 1663, 1646, 1648, 1632, 1708 and are included under the topic Early Seymar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seymar Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Seymor, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1458; Jane Seymour (1508-1537), Queen consort of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII; Sir John Seymour, of Wiltshire, KB (c.1474-1536), English gentry, courtier to King Henry VIII, father of the king's wife Jane...

Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Seymar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seymar In Ireland

Some of the Seymar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Seymars to arrive on North American shores: William Seymour who settled in Virginia in 1653; George Seymour settled in Barbados in 1679; William Seymour settled in Maryland in 1725; John Seymer was banished to Barbados in 1685.

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Foy pour devoir
Motto Translation: Faith for duty.

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Citations

^ The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Other References

Burke, Sir Bernard. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry: Including American Families with British Ancestry. (2 Volumes). London: Burke Publishing, 1939. Print.
Lennard, Reginald. Rural England 1086-1135 A Study of Social and Agrarian Conditions. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1959. Print.
Fairbairn. Fairbain's book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, 4th Edition 2 volumes in one. Baltimore: Heraldic Book Company, 1968. Print.
Cook, Chris. English Historical Facts 1603-1688. London: MacMillan, 1980. Print.
Filby, P. William and Mary K Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index in Four Volumes. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8).
Chadwick, Nora Kershaw and J.X.W.P Corcoran. The Celts. London: Penguin, 1790. Print. (ISBN 0140212116).
Humble, Richard. The Fall of Saxon England. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-88029-987-8).
Burke, John Bernard Ed. The Roll of Battle Abbey. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip. Noble and Gentle Men of England Or Notes Touching The Arms and Descendants of the Ancient Knightley and Gentle Houses of England Arranged in their Respective Counties 3rd Edition. Westminster: John Bowyer Nichols and Sons, 1866. Print.
Magnusson, Magnus. Chambers Biographical Dictionary 5th edition. Edinburgh: W & R Chambers, 1990. Print.
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The Seymar Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Seymar Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 15 January 2016 at 10:00.