Show ContentsTanckervile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Tanckervile was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Tanckervile family lived in Lincolnshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Tanerdevilla, Normandy. "An ancient barony in the arrondissement of Havre in Normandy, called in records Tancredi villa, 'the vill of Tancred,' and, at the present day Tancarville. The ancient barons of Tancarville were hereditary chamberlains to the Dukes of Normandy." 1

Early Origins of the Tanckervile family

The surname Tanckervile was first found in Lincolnshire where this family has to be considered one of the premier Norman families of all time. Tradition has it that they are descended from Tancred who lived in 912 A.D. and whose fief in Normandy was named Tanerdevilla. Descended was Gerold, Sire de Tankcarville who had three sons, Ralph, who was Chamberlain and Guardian to William Duke of Normandy, Gerold, was Dapifer of Duke William, and Amaury. "Ralph was guardian to Duke William, hereditary Chamberlain of Normandy, and founder of Bocherville Abbey." 2

Ralph's son William, was Treasurer to King Henry 1st, and Justice of England. He married Matilda, the daughter of William, the Viscount d'Arques. He had two sons, Rabel and Ralph. They held lands in Grantham, Oston and Somerly. 3

Early History of the Tanckervile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanckervile research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1137 is included under the topic Early Tanckervile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanckervile Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Tancerville, Tankerville, Tancarville, Tankarville, Tancarvill and many more.

Early Notables of the Tanckervile family

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

Migration of the Tanckervile family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Tanckervile or a variant listed above: Christopher Tancarvill who landed in North America in 1746.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


Houseofnames.com on Facebook