Gomery

This rare and interesting surname is of Germanic origin, and is from a Germanic male given name which is composed of the elements "guma", man, and "ric", power. This personal name has also been Latinized with the "-us" suffix , and is recorded as "Gomericus". This noble name is the root in the placename Montgomery, found in the Calvados, which derives from the Old French "mont", hill, and "Gomery"; hence, "Gomery's hill". The given name is said to have been introduced into England by a Roman General, named "Gomericus", during the time of the Romans in Britain. Today the surname is most widespread around the southern Welsh border counties. In the modern idiom the surname can be found as Jamary, Gumary, Gummary, Gomery, Gummory, Gumery and Gommery. Recordings of the surname from English Church Registers include: the marriage of Mary Gummory and John French at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London, on November 12th 1644; the marriage of Martha Gomery and John French on November 12th 1644, in the same place; and the christening of John, son of John and Elizabeth Gomery, on March 29th 1721, at Kingstone near Hereford, Herefordshire. A Coat of Arms granted to this family depicts two azure lions passant guardant in pale on a gold shield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rebecca Jamary, which was dated May 18th 1563, christened at St. Andrew's by the Wardrobe, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.