| ![Show Contents]() Elgort History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The ancient and distinguished surname Elgort is of two distinct origins. It is believed that the name was originally derived from the Old English word "ealdgar," meaning "noble spear." Alternatively, in some instances, the name signifies "of Altcar," a village near Ormskirk in Lancashire. 1 Early Origins of the Elgort familyThe surname Elgort was first found in Norfolk, where William Alker was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1212. In this instance, the name is probably derived from the Old English "ealdgar," making it likely that this branch of the family is of Anglo-Saxon descent. William de Altekar was recorded in the "Calendar of Letter Books" of London in 1341; the preposition "de," as well as the spelling of the name, indicates that this branch of the family hailed from Altcar in Lancashire. 2 It is likely that the family estate of this branch was still located in Altcar (Great Altcar), Lancashire at this time. "This place seems to be the Acrer of the Domesday Survey, at which period it was held by Uctred; it was afterwards held by the abbots of Merivale, and continued with them till the Dissolution. The parish takes its name from the river Alt, and the word car, meaning low land. " 3 So as far as the origin of the place name is concerned there is some doubt, but there is no doubt that many of the family originated in West Lancashire. Early History of the Elgort familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elgort research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1549 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Elgort History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Elgort Spelling VariationsElgort 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. Spelling variants included: Alker, Alkar, Altcar, Alkire, Alger, Algar, Allgar, Allger, Allker and many more. Early Notables of the Elgort familyMore information is included under the topic Early Elgort Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Elgort familyIn 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 Elgorts to arrive on North American shores: Andrew Alger and Thomas Allgar, who both settled in New England in 1632; Arthur Algar, who came to Virginia in 1731; James Alger, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1768.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Elgort (post 1700) | + |
- Ansel Elgort (b. 1994), American actor, son of Arthur Elgort
- Arthur Elgort (b. 1940), American fashion photographer, best known for his work on Vogue magazine
- 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)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
 |
