Show ContentsSumnar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Sumnar Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Sumnar

What does the name Sumnar mean?

The ancestry of the name Sumnar can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a name for a "summoner", a petty officer who cited and warned people to appear in court. The surname Sumnar is derived from the Anglo-French words somenour and sumenour, which in turn were derived from the Old French words somoneor and semoneor, which mean summoner.

Early Origins of the Sumnar family

The surname Sumnar was first found in Oxfordshire at Bicester where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say at the time of the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Sumnar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sumnar research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1635, 1669 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Sumnar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sumnar Spelling Variations

Sumnar has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Sumnar have been found, including Sumner, Sumners and others.

Early Notables of the Sumnar family

Willaim Somner (1598-1669), an Anglo-Saxon scholar, baptised in the church of St. Margaret, Canterbury. His father held the office of registrary of the court of Canterbury, under Sir Nathaniel Brent, commissary. "After passing through the free school at Canterbury, he became clerk to his father, and...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sumnar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sumnar family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Sumnars to arrive on North American shores: Mary Sumner who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630, along with Elizabeth and Henry; Mary Sumner settled in Virginia in 1653; A. Sumner settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850.

The Sumnar 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: In medio tutissimus ibis
Motto Translation: Thou wilt go safest in the middle.


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