ORIGINS OF THE NAME ISMAY

There are many theories on the origin of our name:

My research takes me back to Bromfield, Cumbria (or Cumberland, as it was once known). The name Ismay was well known in that area from the mid 1600's until the mid 1800's. From this time, the name spread througout the UK, the main areas outside Cumberland seemed to be; Yorkshire, Hampshire and Ireland. The name then spread worldwide, including: America, Australia Malta and Cyprus.

The earliest examples of the name include, Yasemay Vidua and Isamey Egleberd both found in the Hundred Rolls for the county of Oxford in 1273. Richard fil Ysmay was found in the Hundred Rolls for the county of Linconshire and Ismaya Hibernicia was also found.

P H Reaney's Dictionary of British Surnames (second edition) notes the earliest occurrencies of the name as Ysemay de Mult in 1275 in the Royali Hundredorum for Linconshire. Hyssamaye and Isemay were found in the Descriptive Catalogue of 13th centuery Charters for Sheffield, Yorkshire and William Ysmay in the 1327 Subsidy Roll for derbyshire.

Reaney notes that "Is" occurs in a number of old German names and quotes Foresremann's derivation of "Machareas" rom the root "Mag" which is related to the Old High German word "magan" meaning "might". He also notes that Forssner suggests the old French word "Maissent" may contain the same first element, from the Old German Magisand, Megisind, and hence he concludes that Ismay may perhaps be from Old German "Ismagi or Ismegi" meaning "iron might or strength"

Latest theory:

I have recently came across a theory of how the name Ismay came to England, many thanks to Pauline Irwin, who is a keen historian.

The Guild Hall in London has scrolls and books dating from before the Doomsday book. The following information is based on these. It is said that the name ISMAY comes from a Norman knight by the name of D'Ismee. D'Ismee was given lands for his gallant part in quelling Harolds subjects in South East England when William the conqueror landed. The lands were Cumbria (formerly Cumberland) so the derivation of Ismay may well have Germanic origins, as Normans came from the Border lands of France/Germany/Holland. One message was quite clear, the name Ismay and it's variants was not within Britain before the conquest.

I wellcome any other theories on the subject.