Contents [hide]

Tancred History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Tancred History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Tancred is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest of 1066 brought to England. It comes from the ancient Norman given name Tancred. The Tanksley variant is indeed rare. However, this name traces its origin to Roger Tankerlayman who was listed in Yorkshire in 1387. 1

Tankersley is a parish, in the union of Wortley, wapentake of Staincross, in the West Riding of Yorkshire 2 and dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Tancresleia. 3 Literally the place name means "woodland clearing of a man called Thancred," from the Old English personal name + "leah." 4

Early Origins of the Tancred family

The surname Tancred was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Boroughbridge in that shire. They were descended from Tancred, son of the Good Marqis, who governed the principality of Antioch as Guardian of the Emperor Bohemond II. Tancred, whose barony was in Normandy in 912 A.D. was also the sire of the celebrated Tankervilles. Whixley in the West Riding of Yorkshire was home to one branch of the family.

"The living [of Whixley] is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king's books at £7. 17. 1.; net income, £68; patrons and impropriators, the Governors of the Tancred charities. Christopher Tancred, Esq., whose family were long seated at the Hall, at his death in 1754, left his house to be converted into an hospital for twelve decayed gentlemen, and endowed it with estates which, in 1815, were let for £2480 per annum." 2

Much father to the south in Cornwall, the Tencreek family was found. This variant is rare today but at one time, they held many manors and estates. By example, at one time the manor of Ellenglaze, in St. Cuthbert belonged to the family of Tencreek. 5

Early History of the Tancred family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tancred research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1187, 1594, 1652, 1663, 1665, 1680, 1685, 1686, 1689, 1703, 1744, 1754 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Tancred History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tancred 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 Tancred family name include Tancred, Tancard, Tancert, Tancrette, Tankard and many more.

Early Notables of the Tancred family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Thomas Tancred, 1st Baronet (d. 1663), descendant of Richard Tankard, who owned lands at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire; Sir William Tancred, 2nd Baronet (d. 1703); Sir Thomas Tancred, 3rd Baronet (16...
Christopher Tancred (1689-1754), was an English benefactor, born Whixley, the second son of Christopher Tancred of Whixley, Yorkshire. "His father was High Sheriff of Yorkshire (1685-1686), and was Ma...

Migration of the Tancred family to Ireland

Some of the Tancred 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.

Tancred migration to the United States +

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 Tancred family to immigrate North America:

Tancred Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alice Maude Tancred, aged 50, who settled in America from Chertsey, England, in 1907
Somee Isbella Tancred, aged 24, who settled in America from Chertsey, England, in 1907
Pasquale Tancred, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States from Pietrafitto, Italy, in 1911
Maria Tancred, aged 36, who landed in America from Tara, Ireland, in 1920

Tancred migration to Australia +

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

Tancred Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Richard Tancred, a currier, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

Tancred 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:

Tancred Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Tancred, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Fairy Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th July 1850 6
Mr. Tancred, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 30th September 1869 6
Mr. Tancred, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Easby" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 6th December 1874 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Tancred (post 1700) +

Sir Thomas Selby Tancred (1840-1910), 8th Baronet
Sir Thomas Tancred (1808-1880), 7th Baronet
Sir Thomas Tancred (1780-1844), 6th Baronet
Sir Thomas Tancred (b. 1784), 5th Baronet
James Leo "Jim" Tancred (1903-1965), Australian rugby union player
Arnold Joseph P. Tancred (1904-1963), Australian rugby union player
William Raymond "Bill" Tancred (b. 1942), Pakistan-born, British sports administrator, academic and former international athlete
Harry Tancred (1897-1961), Australian rugby player, racing administrator and meat industry leader
Henry William Tancred QC (1781-1860), British politician
Henry Tancred (1816-1884), New Zealand politician
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html