Congram One-Name Study

Congram
One-Name Study

Topics

About the Congram One-Name Study
Variants
Origin of the surname
Historical occurrences
Data
Contact Details

About the Congram One-Name Study

The Surname CONGRAM is hard to find in any of the SURNAME dictionaries however one definition has been found.

Anglo-Saxon (Norwegian) in origin and belongs to the category of surnames derived from names that described their occupation or work. This was one of the most common means of identification prior to the establishment of a hereditary surname system later established in the Middle Ages.

The Americanized spelling of the Norwegian “Konnegrumme” means a person who was “the King‘s messenger“. The messenger was part of the royal court for the King and was selected carefully since the most confidential matters would be known to that person.

The Congram family is found in Devon parish records from 1717 onwards with a William Congam although the name Cungam is found with another William in Bishops Tawton from 1665-1695 and evolves later into Congam around 1717.

Variants

Cungam, Congerham, Congrem, Congam, Conggeran, Congream

Origin of the surname

The CONGRAM's have been confused by transcribers as the same as the CONGRAVE family, the later coming from the Midlands area of England (contact brotheridge@one-name.org for Congreave, Congrave One Name Study), whilst the Congrams originated from Devon before members of the family moved away to Surrey (Croydon, Cheam, Epsom) late 1860's and then to London (Islington, Upper Holloway, Mile End) around 1890's.

The Congrams have stayed in Devon (Barnstaple, South Molton areas) but more recently the family has spread to other Southern Counties especially Essex.

Around 1860's 2 members of the Congram family appear to have emigrated to Victoria, Australia whilst at the same time other members of the family left for U.S.A. and Canada to Oaklahoma and Nebraska in particular. One of the families stayed in Ireland and had 4 children before moving to U.S.A./Canada. They were in the Leitrim area of Ireland

Historical occurrences

Details taken from the 1861-1891 census returns have several of the Congram males joining the navy at Plymouth as Royal Marines and serving on numerous of his majesty's vessels including H.M.S. Victory. Their families residing in or around East Stonehouse until their discharge where upon they moved to Surrey.

Data

All U.K. Census returns 1841-1901

All GRO BMD Indexes Sept 1837 - 2005

Devon parish records (Barnstaple, South Molton areas) 1665-1838

U.S.A. Census

Canadian Census

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Mr Gary Congram
E-mail: