Tanor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The many generations and branches of the Tanor family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who worked as the local tanner. This occupational surname was originally derived from the work that the original bearer did. In this case the original bearer treated animal skins with tannin in order to prevent the skins from decomposing so that they could use the leather to produce various goods. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Tanor family

The surname Tanor was first found in Devon, but we must look to Normandy to find the earliest record of the family. For it is there that Hugh de Tanur made grants to the Abbey of Culture, Normandy in 1082. 1 At that time, there was a variety of early spellings including Tannour, Le Tannur, Tannator and Le Tanur. 2

Later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 would show the wide usage of the name and early variants throughout ancient Britain: Elfer Tannator, Sussex; John Tannarius, Oxfordshire; Philip le Tannour, Huntingdonshire; and Henry le Tanur, Nottinghamshire. 3

Early History of the Tanor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanor research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1613, 1630, 1657, 1658, 1674, 1682, 1735 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Tanor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanor Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Tanor were recorded, including Tanner, Tannor and others.

Early Notables of the Tanor family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tanor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tanor family to Ireland

Some of the Tanor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 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 Tanor family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Tanor family emigrate to North America: Daniel Tanner settled in Virginia in 1618; two years before the "Mayflower"; Maurice Tanner settled in New England in 1663; William Tanner settled in Pennsylvania in 1682.

Citations +

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)