This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the lorimer,' a maker of horses' bits, &c.; 'laremar, that maketh byttes, esperontuer' (Palsgrave); Old French lorimier, later larmier (Skeat). It will be seen, however, that Lormar occurs in the 13th century, also Lorimar, the more correct form.

Gervase Lorimarius, or Sadler, bailiff of Norwich, 1239: History of Norfolk.

Adam le Lorimer, Salop, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Richard le Lorimer, Essex, ibid.

Thomas Lormar, Essex, ibid.

William Lorinar, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Alan le Lorymer. Excerpta e Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi.

Thomas le Lorymer, 1313. Writs of Parliament.

Thomas Loremar, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1503. 'Item, to Symond Warde of London, hrynure': Privy Purse Exp., Elizabeth of York.

1643. Married — Richard Lorrimore and Ann Smyth: St. Mary Aldermary.

1779. — James Lorimer and Jean Howden: St. George, Hanover Square.

From ME. lorimer, lorymer, OF. lor(i)mier, lorinier, a maker of bits, spurs, stirrup-irons, and generally of all metal articles of horse-fuiniture. In Latin charters loremarius. Hugh Lorimarius and his heirs had a grant of lands near Perth from William the Lion for services performed by him. Matthew Lorimer, a descendant of Hugh, sold the lands to William de Len, burgess of Perth, by whom they were gifted to the Abbey of Scone in the reign of Alexander II (Scon, p. 60). The name is found in Midlothian in the fifteenth century, in Stirlingshire in the sixteenth, and in Dumfriesshire it is a not uncommon surname. In Edinburgh the Loriners were united with the Hammermen (Maitland, History of Edinburgh, 1753, p. 317). Loremar 1525, Loremer 1667, Loremur 1558, Lorimuire 1688, Lorymar 1445, Lorymare and Lorymere 1510, Lorymer 1530, Lorymayr 1490, Lorymeir 1574, Lourimer 1689.

(Anglo-French-Latin)Bit- and Spur-Maker; Saddler [Middle English lorimer, lorymer, loriner, Old French lor(i)mier, lorinier; from lorein, a bridle, bit; Low Latin loran-um; Latin lor-um, a rein] Richard le Lorimer.—Hand. Rolls. Thomas le Lorymer.—Parl. Writs. Lorimier, Lormier, are fairly common French surnames.

“Maker of Horses’ Bits” in Old English. From Latin “Lorum”, a “thong”.

(English) One who made bridle bits and spurs.

A maker of bits, spurs, &c., for horses. A Lorimers' Company for the city of London was incorporated so lately as the year 1712, though it is known to have existed in the XV. century. Those bearers of this surname who prefer a more dignified extraction, might deduce themselves from Goscelinus Loremarius, one of the Conqueror's tenants in chief, mentioned in Domesday, co. Essex; but query whether that personage's name itself, is not a mere latinization of Lorimer? Lorimar. Le Lorimer. H.R.

A bridle maker.

A maker of bits or bridles.

Robert and John Lauremarius, Normandy 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Geoffry, Lambert, Maurice, William Loremer, 1198 (Ib.), Adam, Ralph L., Eng. c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum).

Richard, Walter, Peter, John, William Loremarius, Normandy 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Nicholas Lorimar, &c. Engl. c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum).

Lorimer: maker of straps, bits, and girths.