Surname Armitage - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Armitage Lineage: iGENEA DNA Test Reveals Ancestral Ties to Vikings and Early European Settlers

The scientific findings from my iGENEA DNA test have opened a fascinating window into my lineage. With a strong inclination towards Northwestern European descent, particularly British and Scandinavian, and Haplogroups R1b and H, my results suggest the possibility of Viking roots associated with my surname Armitage. The exploration of my family history has revealed a rich tapestry of human migration and ancient settlement patterns, shaping my understanding of the Armitage pedigree.

S. Armitage

Armitage: What does the surname Armitage mean?

The last name Armitage is a locational surname, meaning it was likely adopted by people who moved to a different area. It is derived from the Old English words 'ea' and 'mearce', meaning a "river-bank meadow" or "boundary of a river". Armitage is a common name in areas such as Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire in England.

The name Armitage also has a rich history within the United Kingdom, largely because of the prominent Armitage family of Exton Hall in Rutland. The family has a line of descent that dates back to the 15th century. It is believed that they were descendants of Geoffrey de Armitage, a landowner that lived in Yorkshire during the early 14th century.

The surname Armitage is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a derivative of the Old English 'ea' and 'mearce', which refers to a river boundary or "meadow beside a flowing stream". It is a fairly common name, and those with the last name Armitage can trace their roots back to England.

Armitage: Where does the name Armitage come from?

The last name Armitage is most commonly found in northern England, particularly around its major cities like Manchester and Leeds. It is predominately a middle-class surname; records from the 2011 UK census revealed it was the 269th most common surname in the country.

Armitage is also commonly found in the United States due to those who migrated from Britain over the centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in the US showed four Armitage brothers sailing to Delaware from Liverpool in 1755. Today, the surname is now also widespread across the rest of North America, including Canada, Mexico, and Belize.

People with the surname can be found around the world, including the Far East - in particular, a large Armitage community is based in the Philippines, where people bearing the name were given British citizenship in the 1800s. The surname is also commonly found in Australia, where Armitage was among the most popular surnames in New South Wales in the 2013 census.

Overall, Armitage is a name with a global reach, found in numerous countries around the world and with a rich history stretching back centuries.

Variations of the surname Armitage

The surname Armitage has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Armistead, Amitage, Ermitage, Amitage, Armatage, Armestad, Armettes, Ermetage, Armstets, and Ermsted. The variations of the surname Armitage originate from the Anglo-Saxon language. The Anglo-Saxon word ‘ærm’ was used to describe a border, shore, or barrier. This could have referred to a boundary between two lands, properties, or regions.

Armistead, Amitage, and Ermitage are derived from the Middle English version of the word ‘ærm’; Ermetage. A variant of this, Armatage, appears to be a combination of the words ‘Aram’ and ‘tage’ which would have been used to describe a strong defensive position. Armstets and Ermsted are derived from the Old English word ‘earmstede’ which is the combination of ‘earm’ and ‘stede’ and would have described a boundary, shore, or boundary settlement.

Armettes is a variant that appears to be derived from the French word ‘armet’, which is a diminutive of ‘arme’ and could have referred to a piece of land surrounded by an arm of water. The surname Armitage can also be spelt as ‘Armitage’ or ‘Ermitage’ and, in some cases, other spellings such as Armentage, Ermentage, Armelage, Ermelage, and Armigate.

In summary, the surname Armitage has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which all refer to a boundary or border, a defensive position, or a piece of land surrounded by an arm of water.

Famous people with the name Armitage

• Richard Armitage: English actor, best known for his roles in The Hobbit trilogy (Thorin Oakenshield) and the television shows Robin Hood and Spooks.
• Lance Armitage: British television presenter, known as the host of the classic game show "The Crystal Maze" and "After Dark" (1990)
• Stuart Armitage: Former English rugby union player and coach
• Sir Richard Armitage: British diplomat and civil servant; Former Secretary of State for International Development
• Gary Armitage: American artist, writer, and pop culture enthusiast
• William Armitage: British historian and author, specializing in the Tudor period
• Michael Armitage: English actor, best known for his roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Love Actually, and Amelia
• Kenneth Armitage: British sculptor, known for his semi-abstract figurative works
• Sally Armitage: American musician, composer, and singer-songwriter
• Ken Armitage: English former rugby league player, best known for captaining the English national team in the 1975 World Cup.

Other surnames

ArmitachArmitack