Lankshear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Lankshear is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Lankshear family lived in the city of Lancaster, in Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Lankshear family

The surname Lankshear was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Constables of Lancaster Castle from very ancient times. One of the first records of the family was found in Litherland, one of the ancient manors of Aughton. "About the middle of the twelfth century it was granted to Warin de Lancaster, chief forester, by the serjeanty of keeping the lord's falcons." 1

The chapelry of Milburn, Westmorland is also of significance to the family in early times. "The chapel, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, was founded by William de Lancaster, about 1355. Many vestiges of encampments are visible. Howgill Castle, formerly the seat of the knightly families of Lancaster and Sandford, and which, with Grange Hall and Lownthwaite, belongs to the Earl of Thanet, lord of the manor, occupies a commanding situation, half a mile east of the village; some of its walls are 10½ feet thick." 2

Early History of the Lankshear family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lankshear research. Another 218 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1068, 1070, 1114, 1150, 1334, 1618, 1650 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Lankshear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lankshear Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Lankshear are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Lankshear include Lancaster, Lancashire, Lancester, Lancoster, Lancastell and many more.

Early Notables of the Lankshear family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lankshear Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lankshear family to Ireland

Some of the Lankshear family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lankshear migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lankshear Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Lankshear, a brewer, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

Lankshear migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lankshear Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Lankshear, aged 27, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1874
Martha J. Lankshear, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1874
James Lankshear, aged 1, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1874
William Lankshear, aged 25, a bricklayer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Lydia Lankshear, aged 23, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878

Citations +

'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.