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Mortimer History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Mortimer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Etymology of Mortimer

What does the name Mortimer mean?

We must look to France for the early origins of the name Mortimer. For it is here that early records this family descends from Walter, Lord of St. Martin, Normandy who married a niece of the Duchess Gunnora c. 980. Roger, Sire de Mortimer was a leader of the army of Duke William and helped defeat the French in 1054. 1

His son Roger de Mortimer was a leader at the Battle of Hastings and was granted a great barony for his efforts. From him, descended the Lords Mortimer of Wigmore, Earls of March.

Very few entries in the Domesday Book of 1086 include a full name; this name is one of those exceptions. For there, we find Ralph de Mortemer, de Mortuo Mari. 2 3

The etymology of the name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Moretemer, in the Seine-Maritime region of Normandy 1 where Mortemer derives from the Old French "mort," meaning "dead," and "mer," meaning "sea."

Early Origins of the Mortimer family

The surname Mortimer was first found in Herefordshire where Ranulph de Mortimer (before 1070), who accompanied William the Conqueror was granted Wigmore Castle. The family became the Lords of Wigmore. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 revealed the following entries: Ralph de Mortimer in Lincolnshire; and Hugh de Mortuomari, and Lucia de Mortuomari in Herefordshire. 4 "The parish [of Woodham-Mortimer], called in some documents Little Woodham, derives its present adjunct from the family of Mortimer, to whom it anciently belonged." 5

Peter Mortemer held lands in Sussex according to the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. 3

Some of the family held a family seat at Attleburgh in Norfolk in ancient times. "It was anciently the capital of Norfolk, and the residence of Offa and Edmund, kings of East Anglia; and was subsequently the seat of the Mortimer family, the site of whose baronial hall is still encompassed by a moat. In the reign of Richard II., Robert de Mortimer founded a collegiate establishment, in the church of the Holy Cross, for a warden and four secular priests." 5

Some moved up to Scotland. "The first of the name recorded in Scotland is probably William de Mortimer who sometime after 1165 witnessed King William the Lion's confirmation of the charter of Philip de Euermel to Neubotel." 6

Early History of the Mortimer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mortimer research. Another 192 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1054, 1287, 1321, 1324, 1328, 1330, 1352, 1360, 1374, 1376, 1381, 1390, 1398, 1409, 1411 and 1827 are included under the topic Early Mortimer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mortimer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Mortimer have been found, including Mortimer, Mortimor and others.

Early Notables of the Mortimer family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March (c.1287-1330), an English nobleman in the Welsh marches, who surrendered to Edward II in 1321, and escaped from the Tower of London in 1324; and his son, Sir Roger de...
Sir Edmund de Mortimer (1376-1409), an English nobleman, played a part in the rebellions of the Welsh leader Owain Glyndwr; he fought for Henry IV against the Welsh leader at the Battle of Bryn Glas...

Mortimer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mortimer is the 5,702^nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 However, in Australia, the name Mortimer is ranked the 855^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,627 people with that name. 8 And in the United Kingdom, the name Mortimer is the 743^rd popular surname with an estimated 9,002 people with that name. 9

Mortimer migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Mortimer were among those contributors:

Mortimer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Mortimer, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Primrose" 10
Rowland Mortimer, who landed in Virginia in 1639 10
Margaret Mortimer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1683
James Mortimer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1696

Mortimer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Mortimer, who landed in Maryland in 1716 10
Edward Mortimer, who arrived in Maryland in 1726
Isabel Mortimer, who was banished to America in 1758
Robert Mortimer, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 10

Mortimer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Mortimer, who landed in America in 1809 10
Benjamin Mortimer, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
Charlotte Mortimer, who landed in New York in 1831 10
Edmund Mortimer, who arrived in New York in 1831 10
Martha Mortimer, who landed in New York in 1831 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mortimer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alfred G. Mortimer, who immigrated to the United States, in 1903
Allan L. Mortimer, aged 24, who immigrated to America from Bradford, England, in 1907
Aileci Mortimer, aged 3, who settled in America from Bradford, England, in 1907
Alfred James Mortimer, aged 40, who landed in America from Reading, England, in 1908
Alex Mortimer, aged 42, who immigrated to the United States from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mortimer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mortimer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Mortimer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Mortimer migration to Australia +

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

Mortimer Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. William Mortimer, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Mortimer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Mortimer, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Edward Mortimer, (b. 1795), aged 24, Irish shoe maker from Monaghan who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Mortimer, English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
William Mortimer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 15
Hannah Mortimer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mortimer 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:

Mortimer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Patrick Mortimer, British settler as part of the 8th Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 16
Mrs. Mary Mortimer née Dunne, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 16
Mr. Edward Mortimer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Euphemus" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th February 1857 17
Mr. John Mortimer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Euphemus" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th February 1857 17

Contemporary Notables of the name Mortimer (post 1700) +

Emily Kathleen A. Mortimer (b. 1971), English actress, best known for her role in the HBO series The Newsroom (2012-2014)
Gary Mortimer (b. 1967), English aeronaut who holds the South African Hot Air Balloon Altitude record
Favell Lee Mortimer (1802-1878), born Favell Lee Bevan, an English Evangelical author of educational books for children
Carole Mortimer (b. 1960), English novelist of over 150 romance novels
Robert "Bob" Renwick Mortimer (b. 1959), English comedian and actor
Sir John Clifford Mortimer CBE, QC (1923-2009), English barrister, dramatist, screenwriter and author
Steve Mortimer OAM (b. 1956), nicknamed "Turvey", an Australian former rugby league halfback
Robert Cecil Mortimer (1902-1976), Anglican Bishop, father of Edward Mortimer
Penelope Ruth Mortimer (1918-1999), née Fletcher, Welsh-born, British novelist, best known for her semi-autobiographical novel The Pumpkin Eater (1962) which was made into a 1964 film, starring Anne Bancroft
Mr. John Barry Mortimer G.B.S., O.B.E., Q.C., (b. 1931), British senior judge, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to law 18
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Mortimer family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Stanley E Mortimer (b. 1919), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Melksham, Wiltshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19
Mr. Robert E G Mortimer (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from St Pancras, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

Sources +

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)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
State Library of South Australia. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) ASIA 1839 from London with Captain Benjamin Freeman and 245 passengers, arrived Port Adelaide on 16-07-1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Asia-list.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
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