During the Middle Ages surnames were first used in order to distinguish between numbers of people bearing the same christian name. As taxation, under William The Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066, became the law, documentation became essential, and names were chosen from a man's trade, his father's name, some personal physical characteristic, or from his place of residence. In the case of the name ATTMERE it was a locational name for a dweller by the mere or pool' originally rendered in the Old English form GEMAERE. There are many small places so called throughout England. The earliest of the name on record appears to be Cecil ATEMER who was recorded in Canterbury in the year 1279, and John ATMER, was documented in County Essex in 1330. Edwin ATTEMORE of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Simon ATTEMORE, was the vicar of Crimplesham in County Norfolk in the year 1398.Surnames derived from placenames are divided into two broad categories; topographic names and habitation names. Topographic names are derived from general descriptive references to someone who lived near a physical feature such as an oak tree, a hill, a stream or a church. Habitation names are derived from pre-existing names denoting towns, villages and farmsteads. Other classes of local names include those derived from the names of rivers, individual houses with signs on them, regions and whole countries. A later instance of the name include Thomas Hopes and Mary ATMORE, who were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1748. In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe. The name is also spelt ATTMORE, ATMORE, ATMER, ATTMER, and ATMERE. The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. (ATTEMORE).