Show ContentsLennard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest origins of the name Lennard date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the baptismal name for Leonard. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint. In this case the surname Lennard was originally derived from the well-known saint, St. Leonard who was a popular both in England and in France.

Early Origins of the Lennard family

The surname Lennard was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Lennard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lennard research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1570, 1590, 1591, 1600, 1604, 1615, 1616, 1637, 1654, 1661, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1698, 1701, 1709, 1715 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Lennard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lennard Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Lennard include Leonard, Leonards, Lennard and others.

Early Notables of the Lennard family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Henry Lennard, 12th Baron Dacre (1570-1616), an English Baron and politician
  • Sampson Lennard (died 1615), of Chevening in Kent, an English Member of Parliament, High Sheriff of Kent (1590-1591)
  • Sir Stephen Lennard (c. 1604-1680), 1st Baronet of West Wickham
  • Thomas Lennard, 1st Earl of Sussex (1654-1715), a British peer

Ireland Migration of the Lennard family to Ireland

Some of the Lennard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Lennard migration to Australia +

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

Lennard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Maurice Lennard, a plasterer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. William Lennard, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "England"on 28th April 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 1
  • Mr. John Lennard, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
  • Miss Mary Lennard, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Mr. James Lennard, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Lennard 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:

Lennard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Lennard, (b. 1845), aged 21, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Lennard (post 1700) +

  • H. R. Lennard, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1896 6
  • Jasmine Lennard (1985-2006), English socialite and model, partner of Simon Cowell (2006-)
  • Sir Stephen Arthur Hallam Farnaby Lennard (1899-1980), 3rd Baronet of Wickham Court, English peer
  • Sir Henry Arthur Hallam Farnaby Lennard (1859-1928), 2nd Baronet of Wickham Court, English peer
  • Sir John Farnaby Lennard (1816-1899), 1st Baronet of Wickham Court, English peer
  • Dave Lennard (b. 1944), English former footballer who played from 1962 to 1979
  • Jack Lennard (1930-2003), Australian footballer who played from 1948 to 1955
  • Frank Exton Lennard (1892-1973), Canadian politician, Member of Parliament for Wentworth (1935-1940)
  • Sir Charles Lennard Chute (1879-1956), 1st Baronet, British peer of The Vyne in the County of Southampton, he left his estate The Vyne to the National Trust upon his death
  • Lennard Pearce (1915-1984), English theatre and television actor


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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