This is an English locational name, originating in either one of the two places so called in Essex and in North Yorkshire. Both places have the same meaning, being from the Old English pre 7th century 'bula' meaning bull, and 'mere' meaning lake, although Bulmer in Essex is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Bulenemara', and Bulmer in Yorkshire as 'Bolemere'. Locational names were usually given to the lord of the manor, to the local inhabitants, and especially to those people who moved away from their original homes to live or work in another village or town. One Richard Leyle married Margaret Bulmer (widow) in London in 1576. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John de Bulmer. which was dated 1273 Hundred Rolls of Leicestershire. during the reign of King Edward I 'The Hammer of the Scots' 1272-1307 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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