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The surname of SAAYMAN was derived from the Old English word 'saemann' a sailor, a man of the sea. Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by the individual. At what period they became hereditary is a difficult problem. Many of the occupation names were descriptive and could be varied. In the Middle Ages, at least among the Christian population, people did not usually pursue specialized occupations exclusively to the extent that we do today, and they would, in fact, turn their hand to any form of work that needed to be done, particularly in a large house or mansion, or on farms and smallholdings.
In early documents, surnames often refer to the actual holder of an office, whether the church or state. Early records of the name mention Seman (without surname) listed as a tenant in the Domesday Book of 1086 in the County of Surrey, and Geoffrey Semman was recorded in the year 1292 in London. Following the Crusades in Europe in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by those of noble birth, who realised that it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. Most of the European surnames were formed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The process had started somewhat earlier and had continued in some places into the 19th century, but the norm is that in the tenth and eleventh centuries people did not have surnames, whereas by the fifteenth century most of the population had acquired a second name. Later instances of the name mention Seman le Coliar of County Somerset, who was recorded during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) and Robertus Saymon of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Charles Button and Susan Seaman were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1795. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.