This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of the chamber.' It is invariably Chambers; why, I do not quite see, except that the latter looks more important. Strictly speaking, Chambers is in many cases as official as Chamberlain. Both surnames arose from the exchequer room in which the revenue was paid. To pay in cameram was to pay into the exchequer, and the camerarius, or chamberlain, had the charge thereof.

Griffin del Chambre: Household Book of Queen Isabelle, 1358 (Cott. MS. Galba. E.).

Richard atte Chambre, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Walter de la Chaumbre, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Henry de la Chambre, Lincolnshire, ibid.

John of the Chaumbre, Close Rolls, 7 Richard II.

Robertas del Chaumbire, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Willelimus del Chaumbir, 1379: ibid.

Gilbert de la Chaumbre, Close Rolls, 25 Edward III.

Johannes del Chaumbir, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Alicia Chaumbir, maydyne, 1379: ibid.

The correct forms are Chalmer and Chamber, from OF. de la chambre, of the chamber: (1) a chamber attendant, (2) of the Treasury chamber (camera), and so metonymic for Chamberlain, which see. The spellings with -s are later. When the OF. word was naturalized in Scots it lost b by elision, and received l to safeguard as it were, the length of the preceding vowel, as shown in the pronunciation 'chaamer' or 'chaumer' (Gregory Smith, Specimens of Middle Scots, p. xxiii-iv). Hugh de Camera appears as witness to a charter of David I (RPSA., p. 193), and to charters of Malcolm IV (ibid., p. 197; Cambus., 50). Richard de Camera witnessed two charters of William the Lion (Cambus., 121; RAA., I, 60). Radulfus de Camera and his brother, Herbertus de Camera "are occasional witnesses to charters of William the Lion during the greater part of his reign; but nothing is known of their family or local connections, except that a son of Radulf had an interest in the churches of Campsie and Altermony in the Lennox" (Inchaffray, p. 269). Several persons of the name rendered homage in 1296: (1, 2) Robert de la Chaumbre and William de la Chaumbre of Lanarkshire. The seal of Robert bears a lion rampant, and S' Rob'ti de Camera (Bain, II, p. 204,544), (3) William de la Chaumbre. bailie and burgess of Peebles, (4, 5) Symon and William of Dumfriesshire, and (6) Wautier of Berwickshire (ibid., p. 198,204, 206). Willmus de Camera was common councillor in Aberdeen, 1399, and Alexander Chaumir was elected serjeant in 1475 (Guildry, p. 184,187). James Chamber and Gilbert Chawemere, Scotsmen, had safe conducts into England in 1465—6 (Bain, IV, 1358, 1365). Alexander of Chamowr was "forspekar for the comownis and merchandis" of Aberdeen, 1461 (CRA., p. 22), and in 1474 Gilbert of Chamer (Chamver, or Chadmer) was alderman of the same burgh (ibid., p. 32—33). Robert of Chawmyr witnessed resignation of a feu in Peebles, 1471 (Scots lore, p. 52), and another Robert Chamer was tenant on lands of Polkak, 1472 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 221). Sir John of Chawmir of Gatgyrth is recorded in 1491 (HMC., 3. Rep., II, p. 391). Thomas Chamer was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1521 (NSCM., I, p. 47), and a particate of land was sold to John Chalmyr in Glasgow, 1555 (Protocols). The sounded l in Chalmers is a modern affectation. Challmers 1692, Chalmair 1575, Chalmbers 1688, Chalmer 1508, Chalmour 1515, Chalmyris 1557, Chamyr 1477, Chaumar 1503, Chaumyr 1502, Chavmyr and Chawmer 1477, Chawmuir 1553; Schambers 1650.

A Scot. form ot Chambers, q.v. .... To me is displeasant Genyus chalmer, or matrymonye to hant.— Douglas, Virgil, 9953; Jamieson.

(Scottish) Officer in charge of the private household of a king or nobleman; one who served as a chamber attendant.

Scot. chalmer, a chamber. A name taken from the office of chamberlain, dating as far back as the XII, cent. in the household of the Scottish kings. It is latinized De Camera, and corresponds with Chambers and De la Chambre, The family of C. of Gadgirth, co. Ayr, who seem to have been chiefs of the name, sprang from Reginald of the Chalmer, who flourished circ. 1160. They fell into decay in the XVII. cent. Other families in various parts of Scotland bore the same arms and were probably cadets. In the H.R. we find Le Chalmer, which may be synonymous with Thatcher, from the O. Fr, chalme or chaume, thatch.

One of the clan Cameron going to France, put his name into a Latin dress by calling himself Camerario, which in French is de la Chambre; upon his return home he was, according to Scottish dialect, called Chalmers. The arms of the family were cut on stone and wood in St. Nicholas' church at Aberdeen, with the dates 1313 and 1413.

Vide Chalmers.

One of the clan Cameron of Scotland, going to France, put his name in a Latin dress, as was customary in those times, styling himself De Cameraria, which was called in French, De la Chambre, and upon his return to Scotland, he was again, according to their dialect, called Chambers. Chalmers is a corruption of the same.