The Clan History

Meaning 'of the chamber'. Variations Chambers, Chamber, Chamberlain, Chalmer, Chalmers. Chambers is an official of Chamberlain. Both surnames arose from the exchequer room in which the revenue was paid. To pay in cameram was to pay into the exchequer, and the camerarius, or chamberlain, had charge thereof. This name is of Anglo-Saxon descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout the above islands. Examples of such are a Walter de la Chaumbre, Lincolnshire, who was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls', England, in the year 1273 and a Johannes Chaumburlayne, was recorded in the 'Poll Tax' of the west Riding of Yorkshire in the year 1379. In Scotland the correct forms are Chalmer and Chamber. Robert de la Chaumbre rendered homage in Lanarkshire, in the year 1296, and a James Chamber had a safe conduct to England in the year 1465. In Ireland the name is to be found in Ulster.