| ![Show Contents]() Dances History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of DancesWhat does the name Dances mean? The Dances family is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the baptismal name for the "son of Daniel," or it could have been from the Anglo-Saxon word Dense, meaning Danish. 1 Early Origins of the Dances familyThe surname Dances was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list some of the first entries of the family: Amicia Daunce; Thomas Danse; and Willelmus Daunse. 2 In Bedfordshire, early records there show William Daunce in the Assize Rolls of 1247. Robert Daunce appears in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301 and Robert del la Daunce was listed in 1305 and "was probably a professional dancer, chief of ‘a dancing party’, a meaning recorded c. 1385." 3 Early History of the Dances familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dances research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1700, 1741, 1748, 1755, 1761, 1768, 1775, 1790, 1793, 1800, 1825, 1827 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Dances History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dances Spelling VariationsSpelling 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 Dances have been found, including Dance, Danse and others. Early Notables of the Dances familyGeorge Dance the Elder (1700-1768), English architect and surveyor to the corporation of London. He designed the Mansion House and many of the churches and public buildings of the city during the earlier half of the eighteenth century. One of his sons, George Dance the Younger (1741-1825), was also an architect of note. He was the fifth and youngest son of George Dance the Elder. He "learnt his profession in his father's office. He spent also some time in France and Italy, and studied in Rome. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and in 1761 sent to...
Another 135 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dances Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dances family to IrelandSome of the Dances family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dances familyFamilies 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 for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Dances, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Gilbert Dance who settled in New Orleans in 1822; John Dance arrived in Philadelphia in 1754; Rebecca Dance settled in Virginia in 1729.
- 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)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
 |
