John Lyman

Not the father of Henry Lyman, II

(John) married Margaret, daughter and heiress of William Gerard, of Beauchamp, county Essex."

John was "a gentleman, eldest son, and heir." He also possessed lands at Ovyngton, Asshe, and Beauchamp St. Paul, County Essex, and Clare and Hylton, County Suffolk which he sold. He was a contributor toward the carrying on of the war. Henry VIII had possession at that time of Navistoke and Ongar estates.

SURNAMES as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th Century. They were not in use in England or in Scotland before the Norman Conquest, and were first found in the Domesday Book. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans. They themselves had not long before adopted them.

It became, in course of time, a mark of gentler blood, and it was deemed a disgrace for gentlemen to have but one single name, as the meaner sort had. It was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) it became general practice amongst all people.

LYMAN is a form of the name Lamont. They were an important family in Argyllshire in the early 13th century. The name was derived from the Old Norman 'logmaor' meaning a lawman, a laywer.

The name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Early records of the name mention Leman (without surname) listed as a tenant in the Domesday Book of 1086. William Lemmon was documented in 1275, County Worcestershire. Henry Lemman, 1327, County Sussex. William Lemmon was a writer in Edinburgh in 1686, and another William was recorded in Newmill, Scotland in 1796.

At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour.

The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.

It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way.

References

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gerard-39 cites
  • Source: Genealogy of the Lyman family in Great Britain & America, the ancestors and descendants of Richard Lyman, from High Ongar in England, 1631; by Coleman Lyman; Published 1872 by J. Munsell in Albany, N.Y . Page 14. < Archive.Org > (has errors)