Mortimer

Alternative forms

• Mortymer

Etymology

A habitational surname from Mortemer in France, from Old Northern French, literally meaning “dead pond”.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmɔːtɪmə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɔɹtəmɚ/

Proper noun

Mortimer

1. A British surname​.
   • c. 1597, [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fovrth; […], quarto edition, London: Printed by P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, OCLC 932916628:
     , act I, scene III:

     He said he would not ransom Mortimer; / Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer; / But I will find him when he lies asleep, / And in his ear I'll holla ‘Mortimer!’

2. A male given name transferred from the surname.
   • 1941, Shenandoah, New Directions, page 13:

     I like the names Herbert and Mortimer more all the time. They are so distinguished and new and American. Do you know how I came to think of them? I was reading the newspaper in bed after my first boy was born. I was reading the society page, which is always so interesting.