Tanner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Germany 
  Ireland 


The Tanner family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when 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 Tanner family

The surname Tanner 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 Tanner family

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

Tanner Spelling Variations

Tanner has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Tanner have been found, including Tanner, Tannor and others.

Early Notables of the Tanner family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Tanner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Tanner is the 640th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Tanner is ranked the 776th most popular surname with an estimated 5,040 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Tanner is the 847th popular surname with an estimated 863 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Tanner as 773rd with 8,715 people. 7

Migration of the Tanner family to Ireland

Some of the Tanner 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.


Tanner migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Tanners to arrive on North American shores:

Tanner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Tanner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Tanner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Tanner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tanner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Tanner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tanner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Tanner 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:

Tanner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Tanner (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Tanner +
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