A male name. Old English Æthelmær, compound of æthel ‘noble’ and mære famous’, was a common name before the Conquest, and the medieval Aylmer may sometimes represent a gallicization of it. But there was also a common Old German name Agilmar, which early appears as Ailemar, Eilemar, and this was brought to England by the Normans Aylmer (e.g. Tennyson’s Sir Aylmer Aylmer) was common in the Middle Ages and has never died out altogether. It gave rise to several surnames, including that of Elmer, which has gained independent currency as a christian name in the USA, being the surname of two New Jersey brothers who played an active part in the American Revolution.

Aylmer, Aylmerus Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum 1066-70. Ægelmaer Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum 1066-70. Ademer, Ædmar, Ælmar, Æilmar, Ailmar, Almer, Ailmer, Eilmer, Ælmer, Elmar, Elmer Domesday Book 1086. Aylmer Curia Regis Rolls 1207-9. Aymar Hundred Rolls 1273.

M. Probably a contraction of the Egelmar in Domesday Book. The egel part, thus or as egil, is a frequent prefix and would seem to be from the dative case of ag, awe or fear, and the complete word apparently signifies ‘formidable fame’. It is a melodious name (seldom heard in these days), sometimes shortened to Aymar, not (or is it?) to be confused with the Aymar mentioned in the preceding entry. Cf. Elmer, q. v.

Teutonic (masculine) - Great and noble.

A Teutonic name, meaning: Of noble fame.