Contents [hide]

Flemming History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

Flemming History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Ireland
Scotland
England

Etymology of Flemming

What does the name Flemming mean?

The earliest recorded instance of the Flemming family name show the family in Flanders, which was located on the North Sea and was a prosperous center for the cloth industry during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Anglo-French word "fleming," which comes from the Old French word "flamanc," which means "a Fleming."

"The Flemings were numerous in Norwich from an early period, and Flemings were planted in Pembrokeshire by Henry I. Some of their countrymen had already settled in this country in the days of William the Conqueror, and we find them established about Downton at the period of the Domesday Survey. An eruption of the sea into Flanders compelled the inhabitants to emigrate in great numbers. Many of the wanderers sought refuge in England, and were allowed to inhabit the borders of Scotland. " 1

Early Origins of the Flemming family

The surname Flemming was first found in Lanarkshire. "Large territories in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire were later in possession of a family of this name. Their residence was Boghall Castle near Biggar Theobald the Fleming (Theobaldus Flamaticus) had a grant of land on the Douglas Water from the abbot of Kelso between 1147-1160. Baldwin the Fleming was sheriff of Lanark c. 1150. Jordan Fleming was taken prisoner at Alnwick along with William the Lion in 1174. 2

Confirming their original European stock, "the family of Flemmens, according to Hals, descended from a nobleman of Flanders, who, at a very early period came over to England, and took up his abode at Stoke-flemen in Devonshire, of which he was lord. In the days of Richard I. one of his posterity held in this place by the tenure of knight-service, seven knight's fees, and was probably the founder of this church, which still bears his name. This must have been about the year 1190. His son John was sheriff of Cornwall three years, from the third to the sixth year of John's reign." 3

Early History of the Flemming family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flemming research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1126, 1320, 1341, 1362, 1363, 1372, 1382, 1404, 1416, 1483, 1544, 1567, 1593, 1606, 1613, 1619, 1630, 1633, 1660, 1663, 1666, 1690, 1694, 1698, 1700, 1701, 1708, 1713, 1716 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Flemming History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flemming Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Fleming, Flemming, Fleeman, Flemons, Flemyng, Fleeming, Flamank, Flament, Flement and many more.

Early Notables of the Flemming family

Of note in the family at this time was Thomas Fleming (c.1363-c. 1382), 2nd Earl of Wigtown, who was forced through financial hardship to sell the earldom to Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway and Earl of Douglas in 1372. There was a second creation of the Earldom of Wigtown, for John Fleming (1567-1619), Lord Fleming and Cumbernauld, in 1606. Robert Fleming the elder (1630-1694), was...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flemming Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flemming Ranking

In the United States, the name Flemming is the 4,313^rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Flemming family to Ireland

Some of the Flemming family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 138 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flemming migration to the United States +

Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Flemming were

Flemming Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Flemming, who arrived in New England in 1754 5
John Flemming, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1772 5
James Flemming, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1773 5
Christian Flemming, who arrived in America in 1777 5
Andrew Flemming, who landed in New York, NY in 1778 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flemming Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Flemming, who landed in America in 1805 5
Thomas Flemming, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 5
Thomas Flemming, aged 55, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1813 5
William Flemming, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 5
Joseph S Flemming, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1821 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flemming migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Flemming Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Flemming, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Richard Flemming U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, New Brunswick c. 1784 6

Flemming Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Michael Flemming, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1825
Robert Flemming, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Andrew Flemming, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Bridget Flemming, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
Margaret Flemming, aged 17, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flemming migration to Australia +

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

Flemming Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Ralph Flemming, British convict who was convicted in Durham, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
Mr. Michael Flemming, (b. 1800), aged 29, Irish tailor who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 2nd March 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1838 8
John Flemming, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1849 9
Catherine Flemming, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Taymouth Castle" 10
Elizabeth Flemming, aged 15, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "William Stevenson" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flemming 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:

Flemming Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Richard John Flemming, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 12
Mrs. Emma Mary Flemming, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 12
Mr. George Spencer Flemming, (b. 1849), aged 1, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 12
Miss Emily Flemming, (b. 1846), aged 4, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 12
John Flemming, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Flemming (post 1700) +

William Norman "Bill" Flemming (1926-2007), American television sports journalist, one of the original announcers for the ABC Sports show Wide World of Sports (1961-1998)
David Braxton "Dave" Flemming (b. 1976), American sportscaster
Brian Flemming (b. 1966), American film director and playwright
Arthur Sherwood Flemming (1905-1996), United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare between 1958 to 1961 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
O. J. Flemming, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oklahoma, 1912 13
Harry H. Flemming, American Republican politician, Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 3rd District, 1935 13
Elizabeth H. Flemming, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1972 13
Edwin G. Flemming, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from New York County 13th District, 1935 13
Arthur Sherwood Flemming (1905-1996), American Republican politician, Member, U.S. Civil Service Commission, 1939-48 13
Arthur S. Flemming, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1960 13
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Flemming family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Patrick Flemming (1858-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Mr. Joseph Flemming (1893-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 14

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Herbert Flemming, English Able-Bodied Seaman from Manchester, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 15

The Flemming 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: Let the deed shaw

Sources +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELIZABETH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Elizabeth.htm
South Australian Register Thursday 4th May 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Taymouth Castle 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/taymouthcastle1854.shtml
South Australian Register Friday 2nd February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Stevenson 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstevenson1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/