Research suggests that the orign of this name is from the Heraldic Breton name 'Camphir' which was originally introduced into England in the 18th Century as Chamier, and was also known as De Champs. The family were prominent in both Ireland and Madras (India) but seem to have continually anglisized their name to avoid the French association, in the Napoleonic period, 1796 - 1815. The family were originally Huguenot, fleeing France in 1700s. A Martyn Camphin (as spelt) was an emigrant to the USA in April 1847. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Daniel Chaumier. which was dated 1621, Killed in defense of Montauban. during the reign of King Louis XIII of France. 1610 - 1643. 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.