Lazonby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Lazonby

What does the name Lazonby mean?

The name Lazonby has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in Lazonby, in Cumberland, or in Lazenby, in Yorkshire. The place-name Lazenby and Lazonby have the same etymology. They are derived from the Old Scandinavian words leysingi, which meant "freed men," and by, which meant farm or enclosure. The place-name as a whole means "farm of the freed men." It is possible that the name is derived from the old Scandinavian personal name Leysingr. The Scandinavians have had a lasting impact on the north of England, thanks to the waves of pillage, invasion and colonization which started in the eighth and 9th centuries and ended in the 10th. There are many place-names in the north of England which have Norse and Scandinavian elements.

Early Origins of the Lazonby family

The surname Lazonby was first found in Yorkshire at Lazenby (Lazonby), which dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Lesingebi 1 and was in "the land of the King in Yorkshire." Lazonby is a parish, in the union of Penrith in Cumberland on the west bank of the river Eden. A Roman road passes from north to south, and another intersects the parish in a direction towards Salkeld Gate. At Castle Rigg are the ruins of a moated building. There are also several cairns in the area. 2

Early History of the Lazonby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lazonby research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1632 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Lazonby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lazonby Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Lazonby have been found, including Lazenby, Lazinby, Lasynbi, Laysynby, Lasinby and many more.

Early Notables of the Lazonby family

More information is included under the topic Early Lazonby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lazonby family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Lazonby, or a variant listed above: Thomas Lazenby, who arrived in Virginia in 1672; William Lazinby who arrived in Maryland in 1744; William Lazenby, a bonded passenger who came to America in 1772.

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.