The name Challinger is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a challenger or champion. It is believed that the name was given to a knight who refused to accept the new Norman overlords at the time of the Norman Conquest. While it is not recorded what he did to express his refusal, it must have garnered him a lot of respect from his Norman chivalric peers, for they did not dispossess his descendants of their land; Phillip le Challenger was recorded in 1202, in Lincolnshire as Lord of a manor in the Assize Rolls of that county.
The surname Challinger was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Challinger research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1382, and 1565 are included under the topic Early Challinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Challinger have been found, including Challenger, Challengor, Challinger, Challenge and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Challinger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Challinger surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: William Challenger arrived in Philadelphia in 1790; Sam and Marjorie Challenge settled in Virginia in 1654.