Jerome

Recorded in the spellings of Jerrom, Jerrome, Jerram, Gerram, Jerran, Jeram, Jaram, and the patronymics Jerrems and Jeromson, this is an English medieval surname, but of continental and near eastern origins. Almost certainly introduced into England by the returning Crusaders and pilgrims from the Holy Wars in Palestine during the 12th century, it derives from the Ancient Greek name 'Hieronymos', composed of the elements "hieros" meaning "sacred" plus "onyma", a name. It had earlier achieved some popularity in France during the Dark Ages as a personal name, being given in honour of St. Jerome (circa 347 - 420). A secondary origin is that for some nameholders the development may be from the Norman personal name 'Gerram'. This is composed of the elements "geri" meaning a spear, plus "hraban", a raven. As such this personal name was introduced by the Norman invaders in 1066. Early examples of the surname recordings taken from early rolls and charters include: Roger Geram in the catalogue of Ancient Deeds for the county of Leicestershire, in the year 1333, and Katheryn Jeram who married John Watman on August 19th 1555, at St. Margaret's church, Westminster. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of William Geran, which was dated 1194, in the "Curia Regis Rolls of Shropshire". This was during the reign of King Richard 1st of England, known as "The Lionheart", who reigned from 1189 to 1199, leaving the country in some considerable debt. Throughout the centuries surnames in every country have continued to "develop," often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.