SUSSEX HARMERS

Researching since 1978

The Sussex Family take their name from Haremere Hall in Etchingham where they were Lords of the manor. The earliest recorded Harmer is Milo (or Miles) de Haremere at about the end of the 12th century. The derivation of Haremere is obscure, the second part "mere" is probably a pool. The first part might be an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "grey", "old" or "hoary"; it does not seem very likely that it means "hare". The spelling of the name is recorded in 1395 as Harmere, (dropping the middle "E") and finally dropping the last "E" in 1423 to become Harmer.

In 1990, as a result of 12 years research, HFA published two revised extensive trees and indices for the Sussex family. These continue to be added to and have grown considerably even since that date. Firstly, the Heathfield tree, which runs to over 250 pages has its roots in the Sussex village of Heathfield back as far as 1546. The Salehurst Tree which has upwards of 60 pages again has its roots in the 1500's, but this time the village of Salehurst. It is hoped to find a link between the two trees at some future date.

The complete Heathfield tree is priced at 10 UK pounds (+ 1.50 UK pounds postage and package) and the Salehurst tree at 3 UK pounds (+50 pence postage and packing) are available from the Secretary of the Association.

When a connection is made between a member and either one of these trees, the relevant pages showing the line back to the 1500's will be supplied free of charge.

Apart from the above mentioned published trees, there are a great many other trees of varying sizes with Sussex roots, research is continually in hand to push back the generations and link up wherever possible with the main trees. Most Sussex Harmers were agricultural workers, brickmakers, bricklayers and builders although a large branch of the Heathfield tree moved to various parts of the UK in the Coastguard service. A quite considerable number emigrated in the 1800's, mainly to America, Australia and Canada.

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