First found in Franconia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Chronicles first mention "Heinrich in der lachun" in 1280 in Wuerttemberg, "Lachenman" in 1409 in Reutlingen, Burkhart Lachner of Freiburg in 1434, and by 1452 the variation "Lachenmair" was taken on in Leutkirch. "An der Lache" meant literally "by the pond." Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that developing region as they emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System.

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Mark Lachman, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1774. Martin Lachner and Vite Lachner came to Georgia in 1741; G.C. Lachenmayer came to Philadelphia in 1798.

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