Surname Gymer - Meaning and Origin
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Gymer: What does the surname Gymer mean?
The last name Gymer is an English patronymic surname. Patronymic surnames were historically used to indicate a person's origin or family line of paternity. The surname Gymer is derived from the Old English given names Gvimor or Gymer. The root of the name is composed of two elements; "Gym" which refers to a procession, journey, or combat; and the suffix "er" which is used to denote a person engaged in an activity related to the root. Therefore, the literal meaning of Gymer is that of a "combatant" or "warrior".
The Gymer surname likely originated in England as far back as the 12th century. During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice to take on a derivative of one's father's given name as a surname, as well as to assign last names to a particular clan or bloodline. In this case, Gymer may have been assigned to the family line of Gvmors, which was a prominent family of that era.
Throughout history, the Gymer family has played an integral role in the affairs of England. During the 1400s, the Gymer family was a part of the influential court of King Henry VII, and a Gymer was even appointed Governor of Calais in 1595.
Today, the Gymer surname is still found in England, but is also common in various parts of the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Although the meaning behind the name has shifted slightly over the centuries, it is still largely understood to signify a person of strong personality and loyalty, befitting of a warrior.
Order DNA origin analysisGymer: Where does the name Gymer come from?
The last name Gymer is relatively uncommon today. It is most often found in the United States, with Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York having the highest concentration of Gymer families. Gymer is also known in Germany, England, and Sweden, although the total number of Gymer families is lower in these countries.
The origin of the Gymer last name is difficult to trace, but one possible explanation is that it is a variant of the surname Gimmer. "Gimmer" is a German word for "a beautiful woman". It was likely adopted by English-speaking immigrants in the 1600s, and as it made its way to the United States, it underwent slight modifications, leading to the present day Gymer spelling.
The Gymer name is likely derived from the German term Gimmermayer, which refers to a kind of merchant. This may explain why the name is also found in German speaking countries.
Over the years, the Gymer surname has spread across the world, as immigrants moved to different countries. As a result, the last name can be found in many countries, although the concentration of Gymer families is highest in the United States.
Variations of the surname Gymer
The surname Gymer has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Gimmer, Gimor, Gimur, Gimme, Gimmer, and Gimei.
Gimmer is likely the oldest spelling of the surname, believed to have originated in medieval England. Historically, gimmer was an occupational surname, denoting a maker or operator of oak-framed looms. Derived from the Old English word gemere, meaning loom, this surname likely indicated the occupation of the original bearer.
Gimor is a variant spelling of Gimmer, likely reflecting the Lancashire accent of northern England. This spelling also likely originated in medieval England, applied by early members of the Gymer family who lived in the area.
Gimur is another variant spelling of Gimmer. This spelling likely originated in Northumberland in England.
Gimme is a variant spelling of Gimmer likely originating in Scotland, tracing back to medieval Scotland when many of the original members of the Gymer family lived in the area.
Gimmer and Gimei are alternative spellings of Gimmer that likely originate from the South West of England, and are most common in the county of Somerset. These alternative spellings were likely developed during the 16th and 17th centuries by those members of the Gymer family originally from that part of the UK.
Variants of the Gymer surname are common throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, and are still used in many notable families around the world.
Famous people with the name Gymer
- Thomas Gymer: a former British professional cyclist who was part of the British team at the 1998 Tour de France and the 2000 Olympics.
- Tom Gymer: is a British slalom canoeist, competing since the late 1990s and was part of the Great Britain slalom team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
- Emma Gymer: British actor known for her roles in such films as Attack the Block (2011), Penance Line (2014) and Fury (2014).
- Ross Gymer: English footballer who plays as a defender for Ipswich Town in the Football League Championship.
- Scott Gymer: an American skater born in 1987, is known for his successful career as a pro skater. He currently competes for the World Cup of Skateboarding.
- Amy Gymer: an English journalist, author and broadcaster, is known for her work with the BBC in England.
- Bobby Gymer: Former professional footballer who was part of the Spurs squad during the 1990s.
- Fran Gymer: French snowboarder who was part of Team France at the Winter Olympics in 2014 and 2018.
- Cathy Gymer: British swimmer who competed in the 200m freestyle at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
- Kenny Gymer: an Australian surfer who is celebrated for his wave riding style. He has won multiple regional and national surfing competitions.