Show ContentsLyal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lyal family

The surname Lyal was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held lands.

Early History of the Lyal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lyal research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Lyal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lyal Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Liall, Lyall, Lial and others.

Early Notables of the Lyal family

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


New Zealand Lyal 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:

Lyal Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Robert Lyal, aged 36, a millwright, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
  • Agnes Lyal, aged 36, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
  • Mr. Robert Lyal, (b. 1804), aged 36, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 1
  • Mrs. Agnes Lyal, (b. 1804), aged 36, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 1


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook