Show ContentsEdmonds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Edmonds family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Edmonds comes from the given name Edmond. [1] [2]

Saint Edmund or Eadmund (841-870), was King of the East Angles, martyr, and saint and was born in Saxony in the city of Nüremberg in 841, being the son of King Alkmund and Queen Scivare. "Eadmund began his reign on 25 Dec. 855, and was crowned and anointed king of East Anglia by Humbert, bishop of Hulme, the following Christmas day, being then fifteen years old." [3]

Edmund or Eadmund (922?-946), king of the English, was son of Eadward the Elder and Edmund called Ironside (981?-1016), was king, the third son, probably, of Æthelred the Unready. Saint Edmund (1170?-1240), was Archbishop of Canterbury, born on St. Edmund's day (20 Nov.), probably between 1170 and 1175. [3]

Early Origins of the Edmonds family

The surname Edmonds was first found in Oxfordshire, where the first on record of the family was Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent (1301-1330), youngest son of Edward I, by his second wife, Margaret of France. Born at Woodstock, he received from his father a revenue of seven thousand marks a year. It is thought that Edward I was to confer the rich earldom of Cornwall either on Edmund or on his elder brother Thomas of Brotherton; but the accession of Edward II negated that possibility. Edward II made Edmund Lord of the Castle and Honour of Knaresborough in 1319 and the next year granted him lands of the value of two thousand marks a year. [3]

Many of the early records were in Latin as per the following: Simon dl. Edmundi, Norfolk; and Thomas filius Edmundi, Kent, both listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. [4]

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. included the forename Edmund filius Osmund, Berkshire, Henry III-Edward I [5] and later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Johannes Edmund; and Edmundua del Grange. [4]

Early History of the Edmonds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edmonds research. Another 147 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1544, 1563, 1564, 1582, 1622 and 1639 are included under the topic Early Edmonds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edmonds Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Edmonds include Edmond, Edmonde, Edmon, Edmonds, Edmun, Edmund, Edmunds and many more.

Early Notables of the Edmonds family

Distinguished members of the family include John Edmunds (died 1544), English Master of Peterhouse. [3]Sir Clement Edmondes (1564?-1622), was Clerk to the Council, born at Shrawardine in Shropshire. His parentage is not known, but he is described in the Oxford matriculation register as a yeoman's son...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Edmonds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edmonds World Ranking

In the United States, the name Edmonds is the 1,340th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [6] However, in Australia, the name Edmonds is ranked the 680th most popular surname with an estimated 5,773 people with that name. [7] And in New Zealand, the name Edmonds is the 359th popular surname with an estimated 1,785 people with that name. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Edmonds as 993rd with 6,986 people. [9]


United States Edmonds migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Edmonds or a variant listed above:

Edmonds Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Edmonds, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 [10]
  • Richard Edmonds, who landed in Virginia in 1622 [10]
  • Robert Edmonds, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 [10]
  • John Edmonds was living in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630
  • John Edmonds, aged 16, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edmonds Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jeremiah Edmonds, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [10]
  • Joseph Edmonds, who arrived in America in 1776 [10]
Edmonds Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Edmonds, aged 31, who landed in Maine in 1812 [10]
  • Bogert Edmonds, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1812 [10]
  • Henry Edmonds, who arrived in New York in 1825 [10]
  • James Edmonds, who arrived in New York in 1825 [10]
  • Mr. James Edmonds, (b. 1809), aged 31, English butcher departing from England aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Edmonds migration to Australia +

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

Edmonds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Edmonds, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [12]
  • George Edmonds, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [13]
  • William Bennett Edmonds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburghe" in 1838 [14]
  • Elizabeth Ann Edmonds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburghe" in 1838 [14]
  • Mr. William Edmonds, (b. 1815), aged 27, English shoe maker who was convicted in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Eden" on 12th March 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island), he died in 1845 [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Edmonds 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:

Edmonds Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • S Edmonds, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1834
  • J C Edmonds, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
  • Miss Phillippa Edmonds, (b. 1843), aged 19, British general servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 [16]
  • Mr. Charles Edmonds, (b. 1863), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 [16]
  • Mr. George Edmonds, (b. 1838), aged 25, British labourer travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 [16]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Edmonds 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]
Edmonds Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Richard Edmonds, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 [10]

Contemporary Notables of the name Edmonds (post 1700) +

  • Louis Stirling Edmonds (1923-2001), American three-time Daytime Emmy Award nominated actor, best known for his roles in Dark Shadows and All My Children
  • Kenneth Brian "Babyface" Edmonds (b. 1959), American ten-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B musician, singer–songwriter and record producer
  • Francis William Edmonds (1806-1863), American painter
  • Betheda G. "Beth" Edmonds (b. 1950), American politician, Member of the Maine Senate (2001-2009)
  • James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds (b. 1970), former American Major League Baseball center fielder
  • Major-General James E. Edmonds (1879-1969), American Commanding General 23rd Cavalry Division (1939-1940) [18]
  • Walter "Wat" Dumaux Edmonds (1903-1998), American author, noted for his historical novels, perhaps best known for his Drums Along the Mohawk (1936), which was made into a feature film in 1939
  • George L. Edmonds, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Rockville, Maryland, 1935-43 (acting, 1935) [19]
  • Frazer Edmonds, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1956 [19]
  • Franklin Spencer Edmonds (b. 1874), American Republican politician, Law professor; Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1921-26; Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 12th District, 1939-46 [19]
  • ... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Kyle Lee Edmonds (1957-1985), American Captain from New Hill, North Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash [20]
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Ellen  Edmonds (1882-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
  • Miss Emily  Edmonds, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
  • Miss Lillian  Edmonds (1900-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
  • Mr. Arthur  Edmonds (1901-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
  • Master Henry  Edmonds (1907-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Anthony R Edmonds (b. 1921), English Writer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [22]
  • Mr. Alfred G Edmonds (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Poole, Dorestshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [22]


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  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. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. 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)
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  13. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The DUKE OF ROXBURGE. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838DukeOfRoxburghe.htm
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th December 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, February 29) James Edmonds. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Edmonds/James_E./USA.html
  19. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  20. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  21. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  22. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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