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![Show Contents]() Horncast History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Horncast is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Horncast family lived in Lincolnshire, as Lords of the Manor of Horncastle, from where they took their name. Early Origins of the Horncast familyThe surname Horncast was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Horncastle, anciently known as Horncastre. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 A.D., the village of Horncastle was held by the King as overlord and consisted of two Mills and a village. It stands on the site of the original Roman town of Banovallum, which still shows part of the walls and bastions. "Its present name is evidently a corruption of Hyrncastre, as it was denominated by the Saxons; from hyrn, an angle or corner (the town being situated within an angle formed by the confluence of the rivers Bane and Waring), and castrum, a fort or castle. " 2 Early History of the Horncast familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horncast research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1278 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Horncast History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Horncast Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Horncastle, Horncassell, Horncastell, Horncasle, Horncasell, Horncastre and many more. Early Notables of the Horncast familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was  Migration of the Horncast family to Ireland
Some of the Horncast family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Horncast familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Horncast or a variant listed above: Robert Horncasell who landed in North America in 1670; as well as Richard Horncastle, listed in the New York Colonial muster rolls for 1759.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Audaces fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the bold.
- 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.
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England
Ireland
