Palmarius

Derived from the Latin adjective palmarius meaning "of the palm" as well as "superior, excellent". It is ultimately derived from the Latin noun palma meaning "palm tree" as well as "flat hand, palm of the hand".

In the medieval period, the word palmarius (also palmerius by then) was often used to refer to a Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land, as they would bring back a customary palm branch from their pilgrimage (see Palmer). As a result, the word eventually took on the additional meaning of "pilgrim".

The use of the word as a given name is generally thought to have started in reference to Palm Sunday, i.e. it was bestowed upon a male child that was born on that day. However, it could also have started in honour of the Italian pilgrim saint Raymond the Palmer (12th century), who was frequently called Raimundus Palmarius in Latin.

Lastly, as a given name, Palmarius was confused with Palmatius to the point that the names were often used interchangeably. This was partly because Palmatius is etymologically related and very similar in appearance, and partly because it was also associated with Palm Sunday.