Broomer

This interesting surname has two possible origins. Firstly, it may be of English locational origin from Bramber Farm, Bremere Rife or Broomer Farm in Birdham, Sussex. It may also be of topographical origin, deriving from the old English pre 7th Century "brom", meaning broom or gorse plus "er" dweller at; hence "dweller by the gorse shrubs". Toponymics formed by the addition of "er" are particularly common in Sussex and the neighbouring counties of Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hampshire, but are less common elsewhere. The surname is first recorded in the late 13th Century (see below). Appearing in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex are; Robert Bromere (1327) and Robert Bromor (1332). On January 1st 1607, John Broomer married Agnes Smith at St. Pancras, Chichester, Sussex, and Nathaniel Broomer married Susan Locin, on January 24th 1625 at South Mimms, London. One of the earliest settlers in the New World was Marie Broomer, who embarked from the Port of London, aboard the "Elizabeth and Ann" bound for New England in April 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Brommor, which was dated 1296, The Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, 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.