PALMER

The surname PALMER can be traced back to the time when pilgrims visited the Holy Lands. Bringing back a palm branch was regarded as proof that the person had actually made the journey.
The name is spread around England fairly evenly, whereas my line leads back to Inkpen, near Hungerford in Berkshire.
Sadly not many famous Palmers, Samuel Palmer (1805-81) was a landscape painter and etcher, and Daniel Palmer (1845-1913) the founder of chiropractory. Tom Palmer has recently been playing rugby for England (2010-11). Carlton Palmer played football for England in the 1980s
Huntley and Palmer biscuits were based in Reading, Berkshire, even though I have a great liking for custard creams I haven't been able to link my Palmers with the biscuit company.
I have an advert for Palmer Tyres made in Yorkshire in the early 20th century.

In 1881 PALMER was the 96th most common surname in the UK rising to 87 by 1998 (we are increasing!). The 1881 map shows that East Anglia, Leicestershire, Berkshire and Somerset contained the most Palmers by percentage. There were 1300 Palmers per 1000000 in 1881.