Rayner ??
Their was a rumor within the family that Rayner had appeared in the family name for 400 years.... well that was something I just had to check into.
You see my name is Richard Rayner Gomm, my father is Rayner Fredrick Gomm and his father was Thomas Rayner Gomm. So the basics checked out. I continued to follow our tree back with confirming results, although not quite as old as family rumor foretold, with only 160 years background or 5 Generations.
The Rayner name came into our family when a John Gomm b.1847 married a Ann Rayner b.1844 From then on (until Rayner Gomm b.1953) Rayner always appeared in the eldest childs name, and from the records available always just before our surname.
Its believed (from family rumor again) that, when married, Ann Rayner began to use a double barralled surname of Rayner-Gomm. Although we have no documents to prove this it does seem likely. All birth certificates however show Rayner as middle name only.
This tradition carried down through the line as shown below. It was broken however when Thomas Gomm b.1929 decided to use it as the first name of his eldest born, Rayner Gomm b.1953. Rayner has however set it straight by naming me Richard Rayner Gomm. Now its down to me to continue the name!
Richard Rayner Gomm b.1980
Rayner Fredrick Gomm b.1953
Thomas Rayner Gomm b.1929
Charles Rayner Gomm b.1895
Jesse Rayner Gomm b.1870
John Gomm b.1847 married Annie Rayner b.1844
The Rayner surname has been researched by others - click here for a history download.