Delamere Family History
Delamere Surname Meaning
The surname is a variant of Mear, prefixed with the Anglo-Norman French de la, referring to one of the English places called Mere, such as Mere in Cheshire, Lincs, and Wilts, Meir in Caverswall, Staffs, or Meare in Somerset. It was historically a gentry surname. There is also a possibility that it originated from Delamere Forest in Cheshire, which was recorded as foresta de Mara between 1153-1160, Delamere in 1308, Dalamere in 1517, and Dallamore in 1690.
The name itself means ‘(Forest) of the Pool,’ possibly referring to Blakemere or Oakmere near Eddisbury. However, there is no definitive evidence linking this meaning to a surname derived from these locations. Additionally, the name is connected to numerous places in Normandy, Brittany, and Maine that are named La Mare, meaning ‘the pool,’ with the French preposition de meaning ‘of.’
This surname is well-documented among the upper classes in England from the late 11th century to the 14th century, but it can be challenging to distinguish it from the related name in the previous section. The original form of the name is preserved in Delamare or De la Mare, which is commonly found in the Channel Islands.
Moreover, it has also appeared as a Huguenot family name, indicating its significance and spread beyond its initial geographic origins. Through these variations and historical associations, the surname reflects a rich connection to both local geography and broader linguistic influences.
Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016