Ellar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ellar

What does the name Ellar mean?

The history of the name Ellar begins in the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for a person considered to be brave and noble. 1 2

Early Origins of the Ellar family

The surname Ellar was first found in Norfolk and Northampton where they were recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. Adelard was an under tenant of lands at that time. 3 "Adelhard was a cousin of Charlemagne, and Abbot of Corbie." 4

Adelardus (without surname) is also listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Adam Adelard was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Cambridgeshire. The same rolls include Simon filius Aderlard, Lincolnshire. In Somerset, John Athelard was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5 Later John Adelard was documented in 1327 in Yorkshire, and Richard William Adlard was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. 4

In Gloucestershire, early Pipe Rolls listed Roger Aillard (1205) and Richard Alard (1209). Nicholas Adelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and Stephen Eyllard was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Richard Athelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 for Cambridgeshire and William Athelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

"Adelard of Bath was a 12th century writer on philosophy, of English birth, flourished about the beginning of the twelfth century. His English name was Æthelhard. His native place is said to have been Bath; but of the facts of his life little is known beyond the few references to travels contained in his own writings, and an entry in the Pipe Roll, 31 Henry I. " 6

Early History of the Ellar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ellar research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1505 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Ellar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ellar Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ellar are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ellar include: Aelheard, Adelard, Adlard and others.

Early Notables of the Ellar family

More information is included under the topic Early Ellar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ellar family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ellar or a variant listed above: James Adlard who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the year 1876; but shortly afterward moved to the west. Paul and William Allard had landed in the year 1767.

Contemporary Notables of the name Ellar (post 1700) +

Jay Brayn Ellar, American actress, known for Bedspacer (2024) and Lumina (2022)
Sofia Ellar (b. 1993), born Sofía Lecubarri Ruigómez, a Spanish singer and songwriter
Ellar Coltrane Kinney Salmon (b. 1994), American actor, best known for their role as Mason Evans Jr. in Richard Linklater's film Boyhood

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print