Learmonth

What's in a name:: LEARMONTH An old surname in the Merse of local origin derived from the lands of Learmonth, Berwickshire, meaning 'of Learmonth.' This name is of Scottish descent and is found in many ancient manuscripts in the above country.The name Learmonth is one of the most ancient Scottish surnames and has a history going back to the year 1057. The surname Learmonth and its multiple spelling can be divided into two parts for example Lear+month or Leir+mouth. Both parts fit well together to classify the surname Learmonth as topographic. It means the merging of two waters or the merging of two rivers. In 1057, when Malcolm III required fighting men in his war for the Scottish crown, Edward the Confessor encouraged knights under his influence to support Malcolm with the promise of a land grant as payment for their services. The land granted to the knight with this name in payment for his service was where the villages of East and West Learmonth are today. The place was probably called by the name of its new owner because the granted land was situated at the mouth of a stream which merged with the River Tweed. Historians generally agree that the legendary Scottish prophet and poet Thomas Rhymer (1220-1297) was a member of this ancient family. Ten generations from 1420 to 1657 of the Learmonth family of Fife held the highest administrative positions in the city of St Andrews and played an historical role in the struggle between the Catholics and Protestants during the period of the reformation. The mother of the Scottish martyr George Wishart (1513-1546) was a member of the Fife Learmonth family who eventually became relatives of the Scottish Monarchy through their marriages. The children of Sir George Learmonth of Balcomie (c. 1525-1585) were the fourth cousins of Mary Queen of Scots. George Leirmont (c. 1580-1634) - the progenitor of the Russian Lermontov families and the Great Russian poet Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov was a member of this Fife Learmonth family. Sir John Learmonth of Balcomie (c. 1560-1625) was Lady Diana's twelve-Great Grandfather. The Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, has an Avenue, a Terrace, a Grove, a hotel and other places named after John Learmonth (1789-1858) a Provost of the city. The unforgettable Scottish composer George Learmonth Drysdale (1866-1909) was called the Scottish Grieg. Sir James Learmonth (1895-1967) is called the father of the modern neurosurgery. Sir James Learmonth was a personal doctor to the King George VI and also to Queen Elizabeth II during their visits to Scotland. Learmonth families were among the pioneer settlers in Australia, New Zealand, and USA. There are a number of locations named Learmonth in Australia. The Learmonth’s impact is notable in the progress of many countries. The genealogy of the huge family of Russian Lermontovs who originated from the Scottish Learmonths is well attested. They live not only in Russia but also in Brazil, Morocco, France, Spain and the USA. The Learmonth Clan have their own tartan and their own coat of arms.