During the Middle Ages surnames were first used in order to distinguish between numbers of people bearing the same christian name. As taxation, under William The Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066, became the law, documentation became essential, and names were chosen from a man's trade, his father's name, some personal physical characteristic, or from his place of residence. In the case of the name BARMORE it was a locational name from a place in Northumberland, originally rendered in the Old English form BEGERMOR, literally meaning the dweller at the place where berries grew. Surnames derived from placenames are divided into two broad categories; topographic names and habitation names. Topographic names are derived from general descriptive references to someone who lived near a physical feature such as an oak tree, a hill, a stream or a church. Habitation names are derived from pre-existing names denoting towns, villages and farmsteads. Other classes of local names include those derived from the names of rivers, individual houses with signs on them, regions and whole countries. The earliest of the name on record appears to be BEIREMOR (without surname) who was listed as a tenant in the Domesday Book of 1086, and BEIGERMORE (without surname) appears in Northumberland in the year 1231. In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe. A later instance of the name includes William de BAREMORE of Yorkshire, who was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Translation of arms: Argent (white) means peace and sincerity. The lion denotes strength and courage, and sable (black) was the sable fur.
Page Updated: May 18th, 2012 FREE Coat of Arms Search
NOTE: A Coat of Arms is also sometimes referred to as Heraldry - a Code of Arms - Family Seal - Family Shield - Family Crest - Wappen - Escudo or Crest. Histories Last Name Surname Origin Meaning