This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'the Fleming,' one who came from Flanders.

John le Flemeng, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Walter le Flemmeng, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Richard le Flemyng, Devon, ibid.

William Flemmyng, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

A surname sufficiently indicative of the nationality of its original bearers. In NF. le Fleming, Latinized Flandrensis, a native of Flanders. Several individuals of the name appear in record in the second half of the twelfth century but the relationship, if any, between them is unknown. Large territories in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire were later in possession of a family of this name. Their residence was Boghall Castle near Biggar Theobald the Fleming (Theobaldus Flamaticus) had a grant of land on the Douglas Water from the abbot of Kelso between 1147—60 (Kelso, 107). Baldwin the Fleming was sheriff of Lanark c. 1150 (REG., 11). Jordan Fleming was taken prisoner at Alnwick along with William the Lion in 1174 (Bain, II, p. 117). About 1177 Symone Flamench witnessed a charter by Escliina, wife of Walter the Steward (RMP., p. 75). Ricardus Flammanc witnessed a charter by Robert Bruce c. 1190 (Annandale, I, p. 1), and as Flamanc he attested a charter by William Bruce to Adam de Carlyle, c. 1194—1214 (ibid., p. 2). Between 1189—99 William Flandrensis witnessed gift of the church of Gutherin (Guthrie) to the Abbey of Arnbroath by William the Lion (RAA., I, 96), and probably within the same dates he witnessed the grant of the lands of Herol (Errol) to David de Haia, son of William de Haia (SCM., II, p. 305). Symon Flandrensis was one of the perambulators of the lands of Kinalchmund between 1211—14 (RAA., I, 83). Adam Flamanke witnessed resignation of lands in Annandale a. 1245 (Bain, I, 1682). William fflamang witnessed a grant by Hugh de Bygris, 1228 (Kelso, 186), Bartholomew Flamang attested an agreement between the bishop of Moray and John Byseth in 1258 (REM., p. 135), and c. 1260 Duncan Flandrensi witnessed a donation to the Abbey of Paisley (RMP., p. 58). William le Fleming, knight, of Lanarkshire, rendered homage, 1296. His seal bears a fesse surmounted of a bend, S Will'i Flandrensis (Bain, II, p. 203,544). Matheus de Flandre witnessed a charter by Herbert de Maxwel to Paisley, c. 1300 (RMP., p. 104). James Fleeman or Fleming (1713—1778), was the fool, as part of the establishment of the family of Udny of that Ilk, the last family in Scotland, it is said, to have maintained one. ffleming 1681, fflemyng 1437, Flamyng 1343, Flemen 1539, Flemmayng 1322, Flemmynge 1427, Flemyn 1511, Fleymen 1652, Fleyming 1645, Flemyne 1512, Flemynge 1424, Flimer 1665, Flymen 1653, Flymyng 1392; Flimimg, Phylemen.

A native of Flanders. Many natives of that country joined William the Conqueror in the invasion of England. Several persons designated Flandrensis occur in Domesday Book; thus Winemar F. was a tenant in chief in co. Bucks, and Hugo F. in Bedfordshire. Walterus Flandrensis was a tenant in chief in Herts, Bucks, Bedford, &c. He "assumed this surname in regard he came from Flanders, and assisted William at the battle of Hastings. Walter Bek, who came over with the Conqueror, had a large inheritance in Flanders, and had several lordships given him in England; but whether Walter F. and Walter Bek were one and the same person does not sufficiently appear." Kelham's Domesday.

A native of Flanders.

Local. A native or inhabitant of Flanders. See Flanders.

Fleming was the name of a well - known Kendal family in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.; they __ bequests for the town, and filled the office of mayor in 1588 - 1607 (N.). The Flemings held Beckermet and Rotington in the 16th century (F.). Scotland is the present home of the name. Garnett is an old Kendal name; the recorder in 1610 and mayor in 1689 were thus called (N.). The name is still in the town. There are Garnetts also in Lancashire and Cheshire.