Contents [hide]

Lambert History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Lambert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Germany
Ireland

Today's generation of the Lambert family bears a name that was brought to England by the wave of emigration that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Old German personal name Lambert or Lanbert. These names are both composed of the elements land, which means land or territory and berht, which means bright or famous.

"Lambeth is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, a corruption of lam-hithe, signifying the loam-hithe or muddy landing-place, and making one of the chief hithes or landing places on the banks of the Thames in Anglo-Saxon times." 1

Jaenbert, Janbriht, Jambert, Genberht, Lambert or Lanbriht (d. 791), was Archbishop of Canterbury, consecrated abbot of St. Augustine's at Canterbury in 760, and was regarded with friendship by Eadbert, king of Kent. "When foiled in his attempt to secure the body of Archbishop Bregwin for burial in his monastery, he appealed against the claim of the monks of Christ Church. His resolute behaviour excited the admiration of his opponents; they knew that he was prudent and able, and they had, it is said, no fancy for defending their claim at Rome. Accordingly they elected him to the vacant archbishopric, and he appears to have been consecrated on Septuagesima Sunday, 2 Feb. 766, and to have received the pall from Pope Paul I, probably in the course of 767." 2

"Lambert, Lanbert 'land-bright', a popular name from the 12th century, [was] probably introduced from Flanders where St Lambert of Maestricht was highly venerated." 3

Early Origins of the Lambert family

The surname Lambert was first found in Surrey where they were descended from the ancient Count of Mons and Louvain, born 940 A.D. died 1004. His three sons were Baldwin, Ralph, and Hugh Lambert. Accompanying Duke William to England at the Battle of Hastings, a Norman chief, Haco Lambert acquired lands from Duke William and is recorded in the Domesday Book.

Descended was Henry Fitz Lambert living in 1235 who was a benefactor of the church at Lincoln. Early records of the family were found the in the parish of Kirkby in Malham Dale in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

"The church is a large and handsome building, of the style that prevailed in the reign of Henry VII., and is the burial-place of the Lambert family, of whom General Lambert was distinguished, on the side of Cromwell, in the civil war." 4

Early History of the Lambert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lambert research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1153, 1532, 1536, 1600, 1601, 1615, 1619, 1628, 1647, 1649, 1659, 1660, 1684, 1691, 1702, 1742 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lambert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lambert Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Lambert, Lambard, Lamberth and others.

Early Notables of the Lambert family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Lambert (1619-1684), an English Parliamentary general and politician, imprisoned in the Tower of London in March 1660 then on Guernsey and finally on Drake's Island where he died

Lambert World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lambert is the 292^nd most popular surname with an estimated 92,019 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Lambert is ranked the 135^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,000 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Lambert is the 94^th popular surname. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Lambert as 288^th with 156 people. 8 France ranks Lambert as 27^th with 51,543 people. 9 Australia ranks Lambert as 354^th with 10,233 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Lambert as 348^th with 1,825 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Lambert as 268^th with 22,629 people. 12

Migration of the Lambert family to Ireland

Some of the Lambert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 128 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lambert migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Lambert or a variant listed above:

Lambert Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Lambert, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1637 13
Miss Ann Lambert, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
Mr. Francis Lambert, (b. 1600), aged 38, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
Mrs. Jane Lambert, (nee Barker), British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
Mr. John Lambert, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Simon Lambert, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 13
Tho Lambert, who landed in Virginia in 1704 13
William Lambert, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 13
Johanah Lambert, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 13
Jacques Lambert, aged 24, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Lambert, who landed in New York in 1804 13
Robert Lambert, who arrived in America in 1806 13
Anne Lambert, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 13
Juan Santiago Lambert, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1816 13
Margaret Lambert, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Bridget Mary Lambert, who landed in Alabama in 1927 13
Mary Mechtelds Lambert, who arrived in Alabama in 1927 13

Lambert migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lambert Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Pierre Lambert, who arrived in Canada in 1663
Eustache Lambert, son of Eustache and Marie, who married Marie Vanneck in Contrecoeur, Quebec on 31st January 1682 15

Lambert Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

François Lambert, son of Aubin and Elisabeth, who married Thérèse Bonhomme, daughter of Nicolas and Louise, in Saint-Foy, Quebec on 29th August 1724 15
Aubin Lambert, son of Jean and Anne, who married Marguerite Demers, daughter of Joseph and Thérese, in Saint-Nicolas on 15th February 1751 15
Mr. John Lambert U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in the New Jersey Volunteers 16
Corpl. Cornelius Lambert U.E. (b. 1757) born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Ontario c. 1786 he served in Butler's Rangers, married to Elizabeth Matthews having 9 children, he died in 1818 16
Mr. David Lambert U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1786 16

Lambert Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Francis Lambert, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
Jane Lambert, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
Patrick Lambert, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Lady Douglas" from New Ross
Ms. Alice Lambert, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Flora Hastings" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 17
Miss. Mary Lambert, aged 18 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Flora Hastings" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert migration to Australia +

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

Lambert Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Lambert, Canadian convict who was convicted in Kingston, Ontario, Canada for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Thomas Lambert, British Convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 19
Mr. Alexander Lambert, (b. 1812), aged 15, British Labourer who was convicted in Surrey, England for life for attempted murder, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. William Lambert, English convict who was convicted in Durham, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 21
Thomas Lambert, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Argyle" on March 5th, 1831, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert 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:

Lambert Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Lambert, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Lambert, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
George Lambert, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Poictiers" in 1850
Belinda Lambert, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Poictiers" in 1850
William Lambert, aged 12, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lambert migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Lambert Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Charles Lambert, aged 23, settled in Barbados in 1635
Charles Lambert, who settled in Barbados in 1635
Charles Lambert, aged 23, who landed in Barbados in 1635 13
Mr. Charles Lambert, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 24
Arthur Lambert, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Lambert (post 1700) +

Paul Lambert, American visual effects supervisor at Wylie Co. who has won three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, best known for Dune (2021), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and First Man (2018)
Miranda Leigh Lambert (b. 1983), American country music singer and songwriter. She finished in third place on the television program Nashville Star, She has been honored by the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards. Lambert has been honored with more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history
Albert Lambert (1875-1946), American Olympic sliver medalist for golf at the 1904 games
Benjamin J. Lambert III (1937-2014), American optometrist and politician, elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate
Lieutenant Colonel William Carpenter Lambert (1894-1982), American fighter ace who flew in World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Gavin Lambert (1924-2005), British-born screenwriter, novelist, and biographer
Percy Edgar Lambert (1881-1913), first person to drive an automobile a hundred miles in an hour
Francois "Frank" Lambert (1851-1937), French-born, American inventor best known today for making the second-oldest playable sound recording (1878), on his own version of the phonograph
Adam Lambert (b. 1982), American recording artist and stage actor
Richard David Lambert (b. 1923), prominent American social scientist
... (Another 26 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lambert family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Thomas W Lambert (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

RMS Lusitania

Master William Patrick Lambert, American 3rd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26
Mrs. Delia Lambert, American 3rd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26

Citations +

Hargrave, Basil, Origins and Meanings of Popular Phrases & Names. London: T. Werner Laurie Ltd, Cobham House, 24 and 26 Black Friars Lane, 1949. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 6th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 38)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1827
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Argyle voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1831 with 251 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/argyle/1831
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/