Show ContentsAlgore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished surname Algore is of two distinct origins. It is believed that the name was originally derived from the Old English word "ealdgar," meaning "noble spear." Alternatively, in some instances, the name signifies "of Altcar," a village near Ormskirk in Lancashire. [1]

Early Origins of the Algore family

The surname Algore was first found in Norfolk, where William Alker was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1212. In this instance, the name is probably derived from the Old English "ealdgar," making it likely that this branch of the family is of Anglo-Saxon descent. William de Altekar was recorded in the "Calendar of Letter Books" of London in 1341; the preposition "de," as well as the spelling of the name, indicates that this branch of the family hailed from Altcar in Lancashire. [2] It is likely that the family estate of this branch was still located in Altcar (Great Altcar), Lancashire at this time. "This place seems to be the Acrer of the Domesday Survey, at which period it was held by Uctred; it was afterwards held by the abbots of Merivale, and continued with them till the Dissolution. The parish takes its name from the river Alt, and the word car, meaning low land. " [3] So as far as the origin of the place name is concerned there is some doubt, but there is no doubt that many of the family originated in West Lancashire.

Early History of the Algore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Algore research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1549 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Algore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Algore Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Algore family name include Alker, Alkar, Altcar, Alkire, Alger, Algar, Allgar, Allger, Allker and many more.

Early Notables of the Algore family

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

Migration of the Algore family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Algore surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Andrew Alger and Thomas Allgar, who both settled in New England in 1632; Arthur Algar, who came to Virginia in 1731; James Alger, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1768.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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