At home in the West Country
Devon is a charming English county well known for its idyllic scenery and beautiful weather. With a traditional rural economy, Devon is now a popular tourist destination renowned for such treats as clotted cream and fudge. The regional capital is Exeter, a historic cathedral city. Devonshire folk have a distinctive broad accent in common with the rest of the West Country. The other principal towns in Devon include Plymouth, Torquay, Crediton, Newton Abbott and Barnstaple. The Mortimers first arrived here in perhaps the early 15th century, presumably from their homeland in the Welsh Marches. Today Devon remains one of the counties with the highest number of Mortimers, with many Mortimer emigrants also tracing their family tree back here. View the Mortimer family tree for the early generations here.
Explore the family branches
The principal Devon Mortimer families are grouped geographically here, according to their original location. Read more about the origin of the Devon Mortimers in The Early Generations or explore the main family branches in Mid Devon, Dartmoor, East Devon, South Devon and North Devon. Some branches are difficult to trace and their origin has not yet been discovered, and these are therefore grouped in Miscellaneous. See a complete listing of the principal Devon Mortimer family branches.
Mortimers of Devon
Explore the main family branches here.
Past Devon livelihoods
Traditionally, Devon supported thriving agriculture and cottage industries. Farming focused on arable, dairy and wool, while the wool trade played an important part in the history of the region, much like elsewhere in England. Most worked as agricultural labourers and would periodically move around to work on different farms. Women supported the family income through domestic work and cloth manufacture such as serge weaving. The industrial revolution of the late 1700s onwards caused widespread upheaval in livelihoods, causing thousands to migrate to polluted, disease ridden cities and foreign climates for work. Families were separated, children were orphaned, and social support structures broke down. Little is known of past Mortimer ancestors who lived through these times, apart from what is left from parish registers and census entries. Many who ventured overseas would eventually find a better living but this was also at the cost of losing family and friends.
Important links
See the Mortimer History Page List for a complete site layout and list of content.
The Mortimers of Sandford 1480-1670 – Part 1 of the Mortimers of Mid Devon, including the origin of the family and its various branches in Sandford, Crediton, Colebrooke, Morchard Bishop and Down St Mary.
The Mortimers of Tedburn St Mary – Origins of the Mortimers of Dartmoor and its various branches in Dunsford, Bridford, Christow, North Bovey, Bovey Tracey, Moretonhampstead, Lustleigh, Drewsteignton, Chagford, Cheriton Bishop, Hennock, Kingsteignton, Combeinteignhead, Teignmouth, Ringmore in Shaldon, and Bishopsteignton.
The Mortimers of Bow – A description of their early line and of their offshoot the Mortimers of London & Hatfield Peverel, Essex, who later settled in Devon.
The Mortimers of Bradninch and Silverton – A discussion of their origin and account of the main branches.
The Mortimers of Stokenham – A discussion of the Mortimers of South Devon, their origin and their various branches in Slapton, Blackawton, Stoke Fleming, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Plymouth, Dodbrooke, Yealmpton, Musbury and elsewhere.
The Mortimer alias Tanner family *** coming soon *** – A discussion of the families origin, and the main family tree from c.1520 – 1700, including the Tanner families of Witheridge and Rose Ash.
Following Mortimer ancestors
The Mortimer family often moved between different locations. Search for a particular location or individual in the form below.
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