tolme/tolmie transits to southern england

Some emerging research has yielded the possibility of the Tolmie surname in southern parts of England in the 16th Century (during the mid-late 1500’s).
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It is known and evidenced in multiple records that Tolme/ Tolmies migrated to southern England in the 1700’s.

Initial research around the Tolme/ Tolmie sept has identified possible anglicised variants of the same surname including - Tollmes, Tawlmie, Talmye, Tallmye, Talmie in the mid-late 1500’s.

The origins of these surnames have yet to be confirmed as a derivative of the Tolme/Tolmie name, but phonetically are similar as would be expected of anglicised spellings of Scottish surnames at this time. More research will hopefully reveal these probable connections or not. 

The areas where these names connect with include;

• Margate (Kent)
• Stopham, Pullborough, Arundel, & Lyminster (Sussex)
• Bassingthorpe, Barnewll, Mareham le fen (Lincolnshire)
• Sparham (Norfolk)

In the interest of robust critique - an exploration of other ‘Tol’ or ‘Tul’ sounding names in the same time period in Sussex and Norfolk identified the surnames Tylman, Tylaman, Tilman, Tillman; and Tnyley, or Tilney. None which connect either phonetically or etymologically with Tolme/ Tolmie. The surname Tollemache was identified – but again the historical record is clear that again this name has no connection etymologically to the Tolme/Tolmie name.

Some of the earliest names recorded in Southern England are;

• a death record for John Tolmye – d.1544 North Waltham, Norfolk, England
• a birth record for John Talmy – b.1557 Fittleworth, Sussex, England
• a birth record for Edward Talme/ Talmy – b.1558 Egden, Fittleworth, Sussex, England
• a death record for John Talmye/ Talmey – d.1586 Pullborough, Sussex, England
• a death record for Robert Tolmes  - d.1592, Bassingthorpe, Lincolnshire, England
• a death record for Thomas Tylome – d. 1599 Sparham, Norfolk, England

The records also go onto show several successive generations as would be expected. Phonetically the names above appear to bear association with Tolme and Tolmie.

• Tol-mye [Tol-mie]
• Tal-mye [Tal-mie]
• Tal-mey [Tal-mie]

• Ty-lo-me [To-lo-mie]

• Tal-me  [Tal-mie] or [Tolme]

• Tolmes [Tolmes] or [Tol-mies]
• Toll-mes [Tol-mies]

Whether and how these names may connect with earliest Tolmie/ Tolme names recently discovered in Inverness and Edinburgh and mentioned in the previous blog is yet to be made known.  

So, what might this mean for our current understanding of the origins of the Tolme/ Tolmie sept?

1. This earlier than thought migration could again confirm the possibility of an earlier progeny or line of the Tolme/ Tolmie sept?
2. It might challenge (or help) with our ideas around the ‘dates’ of those early MacLeod Tolmie progeny?
3. Or the surname variants mentioned above bear no connection to the Tolme/Tolmie name​

For information found on these southern England variants click on the link below ​

talmey research here

As with research any historical context and record there exist many gaps. Triangulating different records and contexts can help assist in confirming ideas and reducing assumptions. 
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As always – your thoughts, considerations, and ideas are warmly welcomed
An Tolmach

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