Ismay

Ismay is a surname with British origins, derived from the Old English personal name "Esmund", which means "God's protection". The surname is believed to have been first recorded in Yorkshire, England, in the early medieval period.

Distribution

The surname Ismay is relatively rare, with most occurrences found in the United Kingdom and former British colonies such as Australia and New Zealand, where British settlers carried the name.

Notable Individuals

There have been several notable individuals bearing the surname Ismay, including:

  1. Thomas Henry Ismay (1837-1899) - English businessman and founder of the White Star Line, the shipping company that operated the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

  2. Joseph Bruce Ismay (1862-1937) - Son of Thomas Henry Ismay and managing director of the White Star Line during the Titanic disaster, infamous for surviving the sinking while many others perished.

Variants

Variants of the surname Ismay include Ismay, Ismaye, and Esmae.

Crest and Coat of Arms

The Ismay family crest features a symbol of protection, usually in the form of a shield with various intricate designs and colours. The coat of arms signifies the family's lineage and heritage.

Legacy

Although the surname Ismay is not as prolific as other British surnames, its historical association with the maritime industry through figures like Thomas and Joseph Bruce Ismay has bestowed upon it a unique place in British history. The name continues to be passed down through generations, serving as a link to the past for modern-day bearers of the Ismay surname.

There are approximately 402 people named Ismay in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Ismay.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • Daren
  • David
  • Gary
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Alice
  • Amy
  • Carol
  • Carole
  • Debbie
  • Dorinda
  • Eileen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jennifer
  • Joan
  • Julie
  • Mary
  • Nadia
  • Susan
  • Tracey

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.