Finnemore

This interesting and unusual surname with variant spellings Finnimore, Fenimore, Fenemore, Fynmore and Fenomore has two possible origins. First, it may be of English locational origin from "finmere" in Oxford recorded as "Finemere" in the Domesday Book of 1086, composed of the old English element "fina", wood peckers", and "mere", meaning lake, a common place-name element, hence, "the lake frequented by woodpeckers". The name may also have been an English nickname, from the old French "fin", fine, splendid and "amour",love. One Gilbert de Fenamore was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire in 1273, while the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk recorded a Hugh Finamur in 1273. Dulcia Fynamour was in charge of Edward 1, (1272 - 1307) Wardrobe Accounts. One Elizabeth Fynimore married Robert Davies at Uxbridge, London on October 19th 1539 while one John Fynnemor married Ann Flynter at St. Michael, Cornhill, London on July 24th 1597. Henry Finnemore was christened at St. Mary Soho, Westminster, London on March 7th 1867. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Finamur, which was dated 1272, Close Rolls, during the reign of King Henry 111, "the Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.