Origins of the GAYMER name

There is one school of thought that believes the name Gaymer originates from the old French gaineur which means farmer. The IGI lists a multitude of Gaynors (and derivatives) for the County of Gloucestershire but it appears rare elsewhere. Only two Gaymers are listed in the IGI for Gloucestershire. On the other hand, there are a multitude of Guymers and Gaymers listed in the Norfolk and Suffolk IGI and many other records suggest that the name Gaymer/Guymer developed in that area having been introduced into England by the Normans following the Norman French invasion of 1066.

The name Guymer is of patronymic origin meaning that the surname derives from the first name of the father of the initial bearer. In this instance, the name indicates son of Gymer, a variant of the old French personal name Guymer, which in England became Guymer, Wymer and (according to the English surnames authority R H Reaney), Gaymer.

The name is one of many derived from old German, Wymer,Weimar, Waimer, Guymerer, or Guaimar. It is composed of the Germanic elements wig (war) plus meri or mari (fame). The name therefore translates into battle-famous. The name found its way into old French in the form of Guymer and thence to England following the Norman conquest.

Early mentions of the name in England include Gyomarus 1101 (Norfolk), Rannulf filius Gaimar 1193-5 (Lincolnshire), Robertus filius Guimer 1204 (Yorkshire), Peter Gaymer 1219 (Essex), and Robert Guymer 1277 (Suffolk).

Another possible origin of the name or its derivatives is from the medieval English nickname gimur meaning 'a ewe lamb'. Other spellings in England today include Gimer, Gimmer, Gymer and Gaymar.

BLAZON OF ARMS:

Or, a saltire gules. Translation: The saltire originates from the cross of St. Andrew and denotes Suffering for a Faith and Perserverance. Or (gold) represents the Sun and denotes Power and Splendour. Gules (red) symbolises the planet Mars and indicates Military Fortitude and Magnanimity.

CREST:

Between two buffalo horns red and gold, the head of a French Pointer proper, charged with a red saltire.

ORIGIN:

England