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![Show Contents]() Horncastal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Horncastal is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Horncastal family lived in Lincolnshire, as Lords of the Manor of Horncastle, from where they took their name. Early Origins of the Horncastal familyThe surname Horncastal was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Horncastle, anciently known as Horncastre. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 A.D., the village of Horncastle was held by the King as overlord and consisted of two Mills and a village. It stands on the site of the original Roman town of Banovallum, which still shows part of the walls and bastions. "Its present name is evidently a corruption of Hyrncastre, as it was denominated by the Saxons; from hyrn, an angle or corner (the town being situated within an angle formed by the confluence of the rivers Bane and Waring), and castrum, a fort or castle. " 2 Early History of the Horncastal familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horncastal research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1278 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Horncastal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Horncastal Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Horncastle, Horncassell, Horncastell, Horncasle, Horncasell, Horncastre and many more. Early Notables of the Horncastal familyMore information is included under the topic Early Horncastal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Horncastal family to Ireland
Some of the Horncastal 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 Horncastal familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Horncastal or a variant listed above: Robert Horncasell who landed in North America in 1670; as well as Richard Horncastle, listed in the New York Colonial muster rolls for 1759.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Audaces fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the bold.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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England
Ireland
