Palmer is an old name with a story of pilgrimage that became part of Irish family life.
Where does the Palmer name come from?
Palmer comes from the medieval word palmer, for a pilgrim who had travelled to the Holy Land and returned carrying a palm branch as a token of the journey. It began as a name for such a pilgrim, or for a family descended from one, and was common across England before being carried to Ireland.
Palmer in Ireland
The name came with the Norman and later settlement and became established among settler families in several parts of the country, including Leinster and the towns. As a settled name, Palmer is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Parsons, Preston, and Barry.
Carry the Palmer name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — ornaments, woven blankets, mugs and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Palmer collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palmer an Irish surname?
Palmer is of English origin and became a settled name in Ireland, especially in Leinster and the towns.
What does Palmer mean?
It comes from the word for a pilgrim who had been to the Holy Land and returned with a palm branch.
Is there a Palmer family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Palmer products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.