Guynemer

Recorded as Gummer, Gyimer, Guymer, Guynemer, and possibly others, this is a French medieval surname, but like many surnames of both France and England, is ultimately of pre 6th century Germanic origins. It derives from the ancient phrase "win-mar," which losely translates in English as "celebrated friend." Such personal names which developed in the 12th century and later into surnames, were very popular in the period of history known as "The dark ages" roughly from about 500 a.d. until after the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. The Dark Ages was famous or infamous for being a time when there was little law and order throughout Europe, and when people prayed for times of peace and tranquilty which had occured during the time of the Roman Empire. When an empire collapses a power vacuum is created into which are drawn those of so-called radical but usually uncaring disposition, whatever their claims to the contrary. Names like "Win mar" were expressions of hope for the future. It is unclear when the surname was first recorded, but coats of ams were granted to the Guynemer families of both Brittany and Tuscany in the 16th century. Recording examples include in England John Gummer at the church of St Bartholomew the Less on July 21st 1659, Anne Guimer at the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, on August 14th 1728, whilst in France one of the famous fighter "aces" of the First World War (1914 - 1918) was Frances Guynemer.