Show ContentsLiniker Surname History

The name Liniker reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Liniker family lived in Cheshire. Linacre was an English topographic name for someone who lived near a field where flax was grown for the manufacture of linen cloth. It derives from the Old English word lin, meaning flax, and the word aecer, meaning cultivated field. Individual cases of the surname may be derived directly from this source, or second-hand from the towns of Linacre in Lancashire and Cambridge, both of which get their names from this source.

Early Origins of the Liniker family

The surname Liniker was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Linacra in 1086. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, the family name is conjecturally descended from Godwin de Linacra, a Norman Baron, as noted in 1086. However, it is likely that soon after, they gave their name to Linacre across the River Mersey from Meols, now a suburb of Liverpool and in the parish of Walton on the Hill.

Early History of the Liniker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Liniker research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1460, 1500, 1518, 1524 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Liniker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Liniker Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Liniker family name include Linacre, Linaker, Leneker, Linneker, Liniker, Linnecar, Linnecor, Linegar, Linnegar, Lineker, Lynaker, Lynacre, Lynneker, Lenniker and many more.

Early Notables of the Liniker family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Linacre (c1460-1524) humanist and physician who was born in Canterbury. Eramus and Sir Thomas More were taught Greek by him and about 1500...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Liniker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Liniker family to Ireland

Some of the Liniker 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.

Migration of the Liniker family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Liniker family to immigrate North America: James Linacre, who settled in New York in 1796.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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