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Manser History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Manser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Manser surname is generally thought to have come from the male personal name Manasseh, which is ultimately from the Hebrew Menashe meaning "one who causes to forget." Some instances of the surname may have occupational roots, coming from Anglo-Norman French word "mance," meaning "handle," and used as a name for someone who made handles for tools or implements. 1

Early Origins of the Manser family

The surname Manser was first found in Westmorland at Mansergh, a chapelry, in the parish of KirkbyLonsdale, union of Kendal, Lonsdale ward. 2 Some of the first records of the family include Thomas de Mansergh, temp. 12 Edward II., and John de Mansergh, 7 Richard II. 3

Many years later, The Lancashire Wills at Richmond list: Thomas Manser, or Mansergh, of Burton, 1580; George Mansergh, 1573 and Elizabeth Manzer, of Barwicke, 1608. As a personal name the first listings were Manasserus de Danmartin who was listed in Suffolk in 1166; Maserus filius Joi who was found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1186; and Maneserus Judeus, also listed in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1191. 1

"There can be little doubt that this must be the Hebrew Manasseh 'one who causes to forget,' used undoubtedly of Jews." 1 Walter Manser was listed in the Liber Feodorum in Suffolk in 1250 and Alan Mauncer was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Later John Maunser was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex in 1327. "The Domesday Book tenant-in-chief Manasses was presumably a Norman." 1 The name continued to flourish in Normandy after the Conquest as evidenced by Richard Manesier who was listed there in 1198. 4

Early History of the Manser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manser research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1177, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1552 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Manser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manser Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Manser has been spelled many different ways, including Manserg, Mansergh, Mansbergh, Manser, Mansur, Mansurg, Mansurgh and many more.

Early Notables of the Manser family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Mansergh family of Westmorland

Manser migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Mansers to arrive in North America:

Manser Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Manser, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 5
John Manser, who landed in Maryland in 1680 5

Manser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Matthais Manser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732-1733 5
Allen Manser, who arrived in America in 1745
James Manser, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 5
James Manser, who was deported to America in 1761

Manser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christian Manser, who arrived in Mississippi in 1820
D Manser, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5

Manser migration to Australia +

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

Manser Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Manser, (William, Mansen, Manson), (b. 1822), aged 18, English labourer who was convicted in Maidstone, Kent, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Duncan" on 10th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1910 6
Edward Manser, aged 14, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Oriental,"
William Manser, aged 10, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Oriental,"

Manser 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:

Manser Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. George Manser, (b. 1848), aged 25, English carpenter from Berkshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Surat" going to Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand in 1873, the ship sunk at the Catlins River all the passengers were transported to Dunedin via various rescure vessels 7
Mrs. Sarah Manser, (b. 1851), aged 22, English settler from Berkshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Surat" going to Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand in 1873, the ship sunk at the Catlins River all the passengers were transported to Dunedin via various rescure vessels 7
Mr. George Manser, (b. 1872), aged 1, English settler from Berkshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Surat" going to Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand in 1873, the ship sunk at the Catlins River all the passengers were transported to Dunedin via various rescure vessels 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Manser (post 1700) +

Theophilus J. Manser, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 13th District, 1894 8
John H. Manser, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 13th District, 1932 8
Harry Manser, American politician, Justice of Maine State Supreme Court, 1935-46; Resigned 1946 8
Michael Manser CBE, RA (1929-2016), British architect, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1961
Kevin Manser (1929-2001), Australian actor best known for his role in the early seasons of Doctor Who
Wendelin Manser (b. 1960), Swiss entrepreneur & politician
Bruno Manser (1954-2005), Swiss anthropologist & activist
Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser (1922-1942), British aviator awarded the Victoria Cross during WWII 9

Historic Events for the Manser family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Richard A Manser Jr. (b. 1911), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Stratford, Essex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 10

The Manser Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I have hope.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duncan
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
World War 2 Awards.com - MANSER, Leslie. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Leslie Manser. Retrieved from http://www.ww2awards.com/person/109
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm