Sumner Genealogy
Sumner Genealogy
Welcome to the Sumner Family Tree.
This Sumner family originated in Wiltshire, south-west of Devizes, around the villages of Erlestoke, Potterne and Seend. Many centuries later spreading to Cheltenham, Bristol and worldwide.
Over the years the surname has changed. Originally the name was Sumpner - possibly meaning the owner of a packhorse and then changing to Sumner and Somner. Sumner has two possible occupational meanings - (1) a Court Summoner and (2) a local official whose job it was to ensure all parishioners attended church each week. This tree follows the Sumpner's and then the Sumner's. Although there are a few Somners in this tree, most seem to have taken a separate line (more research is needed) - or in some cases didn't know how to spell their surname.
Although old records have been found for the first six generations of the tree (the Sumpners), they don't include dates, so those shown are estimated.
With over 11,000 individuals in my family tree it has become unmanageable for a single web site. Therefore it has been split into a number of smaller sites based on major family groups.
Sumner
Kennett (North Kent)
Kennett (South Kent)
Bruton
Few
Oram
Sherring
Stump
Gum
Shurmer
Hawker