Show ContentsToleman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Toleman is a nickname for 'the tall man,' 1 2 or in some cases an occupational name derived from the Old English words "toll" and "mann" for a 'tollman, a collector of tolls.' 3

Two sources claim the name was derived from the Middle English 'tal' which meant 'willing, obedient' as in 'the able, obedient servant.' 4 5

Early Origins of the Toleman family

The surname Toleman was first found in Lincolnshire where Hereward Tholeman was listed in the Assize Rolls or 1219. Later, William Tolman was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 3

Again in Somerset, we found Walter Talman registered there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

Early History of the Toleman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toleman research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1650, 1658, 1671, 1677, 1678, 1687, 1690, 1693, 1698, 1706, 1715, 1717, 1718, 1719 and 1726 are included under the topic Early Toleman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Toleman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tollman, Tolman, Toleman, Tholeman, Tolleman, Tolmond, Toolman, Toulman and many more.

Early Notables of the Toleman family

Distinguished members of the family include William Talman (1650-1719), an English architect and landscape designer, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren, in 1678 he and Thomas Apprice gained the office of King's Waiter in the Port of London. He was born at West Lavington in Wiltshire, where he owned some property. He attained considerable repute as an architect and surveyor, and was employed on several important buildings, notably Thoresby House, Nottinghamshire, commenced in 1671 for the Duke of Kingston; Dynham House, Gloucestershire, commenced in 1698 for William Blathwayt; Swallowfield in Berkshire, for Henry, earl of Clarendon; and Chatsworth, in Derbyshire, for...
Another 167 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toleman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Toleman migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Toleman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Toleman, (b. 1809), aged 23 who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Toleman (post 1700) +

  • Norman Edward Toleman (1938-2024), British principal and founder of the Toleman Formula One team


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  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.
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian


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