Lenheart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Lenheart is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came 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 Lenheart was originally derived from the well-known saint, St. Leonard who was a popular both in England and in France.

Early Origins of the Lenheart family

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

Early History of the Lenheart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lenheart 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 Lenheart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lenheart 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 Lenheart have been found, including Leonard, Leonards, Lennard and others.

Early Notables of the Lenheart 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; and his son...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lenheart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lenheart family to Ireland

Some of the Lenheart 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.

Migration of the Lenheart 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. Among the first immigrants of the name Lenheart, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Leonard brought his family to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1639 and was killed fighting Indians in 1676. Henry Leonard settled in Massachusetts in 1640.