Show ContentsSeymour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Seymour Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Seymour

What does the name Seymour mean?

The name Seymour was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Seymour 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 Seymour family

The surname Seymour 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 Seymour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Seymour 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 Seymour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seymour Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Seymour are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Seymour include St. Maur, Seymour, Seymer, Seymar, Seamor, Seamour, Seemour and many more.

Early Notables of the Seymour family

  • 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 Nettl...
  • Sir 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, 1st Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of Engla...

Seymour World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Seymour is the 656th most popular surname with an estimated 9,987 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Seymour is ranked the 618th most popular surname with an estimated 6,322 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Seymour is the 664th popular surname with an estimated 1,063 people with that name. 8 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Seymour as 429th with 109 people. 9 The United States ranks Seymour as 1,152nd with 27,357 people. 10

Migration of the Seymour family to Ireland

Some of the Seymour family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seymour migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Third Fleet
  • Mr. John Seymour, (b. 1760), aged 27, English settler convicted in Sherborne, Dorset on 25th April 1786, sentenced for 7 years for damaging property, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Following the Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Seymour Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Seymour migration to New Zealand +

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:

Seymour Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Seymour, aged 28, a millwright, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • James Seymour, aged 48, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Frances Mary Seymour, aged 48, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Henry Seymour, aged 48, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
  • Fanny Seymour, aged 20, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Seymour migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Seymour Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • George Seymour, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Seymour migration to Canada +

Seymour Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Margaret Seymour, aged 3 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle on 9th August 1847 18
  • Mrs. Margaret Seymour, aged 29 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Corea" departing 2nd July 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th August 1847 but she died on board 19
  • Miss. Maria Seymour who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Eagle" departing 12th May 1847 from Dublin, Ireland; the ship arrived on 25th June 1847 but she died on board 19
  • Mr. George Seymour, (b. 1872), aged 27, American miner returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 23rd December 1899 en route to Canada 20

Seymour migration to the United States +



Seymour Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Seymour, who arrived in Virginia in 1607
  • Richard Seymour, who arrived in Hartford, Connecticut in 1639 21
  • William Seymour who settled in Virginia in 1653
Seymour Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Seymour, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 21
  • Nathaniel Seymour, who arrived in Virginia in 1724 21
  • William Seymour, who settled in Maryland in 1725
  • Edward Seymour, who arrived in Georgia in 1735 21
  • Hendk Seymour, aged 23, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Seymour Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Seymour, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1822 21
  • Lewis Seymour, who arrived in New York in 1836 21
  • Thomas Seymour, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 21
  • George Seymour, who landed in Mississippi in 1840 21
  • James Seymour, who settled in Philadelphia in 1844
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Seymour (post 1700) +

  • Edward James Seymour (1796-1866), English physician and medical writer, the third son of William Seymour of 65 Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, London
  • Edward Adolphus Seymour (1804-1885), twelfth Duke of Somerset, English peer
  • Edward Adolphus Seymour (1775-1855), eleventh Duke of Somerset, English peer
  • David Seymour (b. 1984), English rugby union player, Member of the England Saxons National Team (2006-)
  • Frederick Seymour (1820-1869), English colonial administrator, second Governor of the Colony of British Columbia from 1864 to 1866
  • Jane Seymour OBE (b. 1951), born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg, English two-time Golden Globe, Emmy Award winning actress, named Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II
  • Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget Seymour GCB (1821-1895), 1st Baron Alcester, English naval commander, Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet between 1874 and 1877
  • Ruth Seymour (1935-2023), née Epstein, an American broadcasting executive known for her innovative work with public radio
  • Lynn Seymour CBE (1939-2023), born Berta Lynn Springbett, a Canadian ballerina, choreographer, and director from Wainwright, Alberta
  • ... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. William John Henry Seymour, British Band Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 22
  • Andrew M. Seymour, British Lieutenant with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 23
  • Albert E. Seymour, British Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 24
  • Sydney Seymour, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

The Seymour 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.

Suggested Readings for the name Seymour +

  • Puritan Migration to Connecticut: the Saga of the Seymour Family, 1129-1746 by Malcolm Seymour.
  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. 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)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  11. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 54)
  19. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 95)
  20. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  21. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html

Houseofnames.com on Facebook