Origin of Surname
The origin of the surname is not certain but the alternative spellings below suggest very strongly that it is derived from sous le mont, French for 'below the mountain', suggesting that the original Soulemont lived at the foot of a hill.
Early Records
Richard and Robert de souz le Mont each owned in 1331 a bouvée (six acres of four vergées) of land in Grouville: Extente (1331). This first recorded mention of the surname suggests that the "Mont" after which the family may have been named, was in Grouville. Perhaps the family lived below the high plateau overlooking the Royal Bay of Grouville.
In the 15th century, a branch of the family was established at La Maison des Mielles, near the western approach to the Town of St Helier. This family, who were merchants and shipmasters, became prosperous, bought fiefs and gave to the Island six Jurats, two of whom were Lieutenant-Bailiffs, and five Constables (Mayors) of St Helier.
Thomas de Soulemont was Rector of Grouville, Dean of Jersey, Latin Secretary to King Henry VIII and Clerk of the House of Lords. A branch of the family is known to have settled in England, although the Jersey stock became extinct in 1839.
Variants
- Desoulemont
- Soulement
- Soulemon
- de Soulemont, 1668
- de Soullemont 1607
- de Soubs Le Mont, 1461-78
- Sub Monte c1340
- Desoubzlemont 1479
- Dessoubslemont 1477
- de Souz Le Mont 1331;
- de Submonte 1309
- Subtus Monte 1309
- Sub Monte 1334
Family records
Family trees
Family histories
- De Soulemont family history, by the Rev J A Messervy
Church records
- De Soulemont baptisms in Jersey
- De Soulemont marriages in Jersey (groom)
- De Soulemont marriages in Jersey (bride)
- De Soulemont burials in Jersey
Biographies
- Thomas de Soulemont, secretary to Henry VIII
- Philippe de Soulemont, Advocate who fled the island as a youth and was convicted of manslaughter
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New records
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