The surname of GUYMER was derived from the Old German "Wigmar" a name meaning "battle-famous". The name was probably brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066, from whence it spread throughout England. Early records pf the name mention Gyomarus (without surname) who was recorded in the year 1100 in County Norfolk. Robertus filius Guimer was doocumented in County Yorkshire in the year 1204. Guiomarus filius Warnerii, 1210, Yorkshire.

Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. Completely covered in body and facial armour the knight could be spotted and known by the insignia painted on his shield, and embroided on his surcoat, the draped garment which enveloped him. Bewteween the 11th & 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest. They are to be found in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) that second names became general practice for all people. Many factors contributed to the establishment of a surname system. For generations after the Norman Conquest a veryfew dynasts and magnates passed on hereditary names, but the main of the population, with a wide choice of first names out of Celtic, Old English, Norman and Latin avoided ambiguity without the need for a second name. As society became more stabilized, there was property to leave in wills, the towns and villages grew and the labels that had served to distinguish a handful of folk in a friendly village were not adequate for a teeming slum where perhaps most of the householders were engaged in the same monotonous trade, so not even there occupations could distinguish them, and some first names were gaining a tiresome popularity, especially Thomas after 1170. the hereditary principle in surnames gained currency first in the south, and the poorer folk were slower to apply it. By the 14th century however, most of the population had acquired a second name.

The name has many variant spellings which include Gymer, Gymar and Guylmer.

From "A Dictionary of English Surnames" by M Wilson & Percy H Reaney
GUYMER/GYMER Gymomarus Guimer 1101-16 MedEA (Nf) Robertus filius Guimer 1204 P(Y), Guimarus filius Warnerii 1210 (PY): Robert Guymer 1277 Ely (Sf), OG Wigmar "battle famous" also WYMER

ARMS - per fess azure and argent 1st azure three estoiles
or: 2nd argent a unicorns head and neck sable
CREST - A unicorns head
MOTTO - Suivez moi - Follow me

This shield is according to " Heraldic Consultants, Tyrie, Maxworthy, North Petherwin, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8LZ. (Telephone (0044) 0156 681393