Balmer - Meno

This is an English occupational name from the Olde French 'Basme', 'balme' meaning balm or ointment the 'er' in this case being an agent suffix (i.e., one who does or works with something). The term 'ointment' here referring to the aromatic resin 'balsamum' from the Greek and is ultimately of oriental origin. In this way, Balmer came to describe a person dealing in aromatic spices and, ointments. The infant Anne Bulmier was christened on 30th December 1627 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. Another Ann, this time a Balmer, was christened on March 18th 1753 in St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London. The Painter George Balmer (deceased 1846) attracted attention by his pictures at Newcastle and his continental scenes, painted during a tour in Europe. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard le Banmere, which was dated 1305, The London Courts Register, during the reign of King Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.