Gorman

This interesting surname has two distinct possible origins, the first being patronymic from the Middle English male given name Gormund, itself deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "Garmund", composed of the elements "gar" a spear and "mund" protection. The surname may also be of Irish origin, and originated as Mac Gorman, ("mac" meaning "son of"). In the 18th and early 19th Centuries when the native Irish were in complete subjection, some "Mac" and "O" prefixes fell into disuse. When the spirit of the nation was revived the prefixes were gradually restored, some namebearers, when resuming their prefix, assumed the wrong one and became O'Garman. In Ireland "Mac Gorman" is chiefly found in Co. Monaghan, "O'Gorman" in Co. Clare and "Gorman" in Co. Tipperary. In Irish "Gormain" is a diminutive of "gorm" blue. In some cases the surname may be of topographical origin for someone who lived by a "gore", a triangular patch of land. William Gorman is registered in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex (1296). On November 30th 1572, Gilmyn, daughter of Darby Gorman, was christened at St. Giles, Cripplegate. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Gormund, which was dated 1273, The Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.