FLEMING, as the word implies, denotes an inhabitant of FLANDERS, and this
surname originated about the year 1200 when many FLEMINGs emigrated to Britain, settling
chiefly on the Scottish border and in Wales. Since then it has been chiefly associated with Scotland.
Nevertheless it is fairly numerous in Ireland. The ancestors of our Irish Flemings did not, however
come to Ireland from Scotland at the time of the Plantation of Ulster: they were in Ireland
some four centuries before that, as they came in the wake of the Normans and then acquired
considerable estates in County Meath and elsewhere.
Christopher FLEMING, Lord Slane, still held the Castle of Slane in the seventeenth century,
but the adhesion of the family to the cause of James II caused their ruin. Now they are scattered
throughout each of the four provinces. Several of the name have been distinguished Churchman,
including Nicholas FLEMING, Archibishop of Armagh from 1404 to 1416, the compiler of the
valuable document known as "Fleming's Register", Meath-born Rev. Richard FLEMING, S.J.
(1542-1590), professor of philosophy in Paris and other French universities, who as been
described by far the most prominent Irish theologian in the Europe of his time:
Rev. Patrick FLEMING (1599-1631), Franciscan friar, author of The Life of St. Columban,
and Most Rev Thomas FLEMING (1593-1666), the Archbishop of Dublin who
excommunicated Ormond. Rev. James FLEMING (1830-1903), the popular researcher and
writer, was however, a Protestant. Christopher FLEMING 1815-1895 was one of the most
prominent scholars in the early days of the Gaelic revival. In the Irish language FLEMING is
Known Surname Varients: FELEMYNGE, FLEMING, FLEMMING, FLEEMMAN,
FLEMENS, FLEMON, FLEMONS, FLEMMONS, FLEMYING, FLEEMING,
FLEMENG, FLEMYNG,PHELEMY,PLEAMON, PLEHMON
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A Topographical & Historical Map of Ancient Ireland, compiled by Philip MacDermott M.D.
Principle Families 11-16th Centuries
FLEMING Co Mayo
FLEMING Co Cavan
FLEMING Co Louth
FLEMING, Baron Co Meath
FLEMING, Viscount Co Longford
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"Irish Pedigrees" Trinity College Library Dublin
Principle Families - close of 16th Century and beg of 17th Century
FLEMYNG FELEMYNGE
(during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, King James & Charles)
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"Irish Pedigrees" Trinity College Library Dublin
Common Names In Ireland during 17th Century
FLEMING
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Some Ancient Fleming Lines
The links below are posted for the general information of all Fleming/Flemmings.
I am not the originator of any of the information and the links are provided for your
convenience and especially for those who are curious about the Ancient Fleming Lines.
I do not know how accurate the information is but the family lines make for a
fascinating read and no doubt alot of it is correct. I have seen similar information printed
in other Fleming Historical Records. ie. Fleming Histories printed in 1929
Families covered: Fleming of Biggar, Fleming of Boghall, Fleming of Bord,
Fleming of Cumbernauld, Fleming of Wigtown
Families covered: Fleming of Boghall, Fleming of Wigtown (Wigton or Wigtoun)
Families covered: Fleming of Bratton, Fleming of Derpatrick, Fleming of Fleming Hall,
Fleming of Slane, Fleming of Stephenstown
Families covered: Le Fleming of Aldingham, Fleming of Rayrigg, Fleming of Rydal
