Seymore History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsSeymore is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Seymore family lived in Monmouthshire. Their name, however, is a reference to St. Maur, near Avranches, Normandy. 1 "The baronial family of St. Maur, founded by the warrior of Hastings, became extinct in the chief male line at the decease in 1499 of Richard, 6th Lord St. Maur, whose only daughter and heiress, Alice, wedded William, 6th Lord Zouche of Haryngworth. The Seymours, Dukes of Somerset, whose historic greatness needs little of ancestral aid to augment its glory, claim to be a scion of the baronial house, and their pretensions may be sustained by the valuable authority of Camden." 2 Early Origins of the Seymore familyThe surname Seymore 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. 3 "A Gilbertine priory, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded [in Poulton, Gloucestershire] about 1347, by Sir Thomas de Sancto Mauro, or Seymor." 4 Another reference claims they were descended from Roger Sancto Maure who lived during the reign of Henry I and was Lord of Seymour Castle. 5 Early History of the Seymore familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Seymore research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1299, 1458, 1474, 1509, 1528, 1536, 1537, 1547, 1549, 1563, 1593, 1599, 1613, 1632, 1646, 1648, 1663, 1674, 1708 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Seymore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Seymore Spelling VariationsBefore the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Seymore family name include St. Maur, Seymour, Seymer, Seymar, Seamor, Seamour, Seemour and many more. Early Notables of the Seymore familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was John Seymor, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1458.Jane Seymour (1509?-1537), was "third queen of Henry VIII, was eldest of the eight children of Sir John Seymour of Wolf Hall, Savernake, Wiltshire, by Margaret, daughter of Sir John Wentworth of Nettlestead, Suffolk. Her mother's family claimed a distant relationship to the royal family." 6Sir John Seymour, of Wiltshire, KB (c.1474-1536), was English gentry, courtier to King Henry VIII, father of the king's wife Jane Seymour; Edward Seymour... Seymore RankingIn the United States, the name Seymore is the 4,217th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 7 Migration of the Seymore family to IrelandSome of the Seymore family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Seymore family to immigrate North America: Seymore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Seymore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Seymore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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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