Hornere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Hornere is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a person who carved objects out of horn or made musical instruments. "In London the horners and bottle-makers form one Company. Horn was anciently applied to many uses for which glass and other materials are at present employed." 1

Early Origins of the Hornere family

The surname Hornere was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very early times, some say long before the Norman Conquest in 1066. However, we must look to Huntingdonshire (now part of Cambridgeshire) for the first listing of the family. For it is there, that Matilda le Homere, was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. A few years later in 1303, Richard le Homer was listed in the Writs of Parliament.

Later again in 1379, The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls listed Johannes Homer and Ricardus Hornar. 2

One source notes: "Horner is a characteristic Yorkshire name. The Horners, a family of York merchants in the 17th century, on three occasions held the office of lord mayor of that city." 3

Mention should now be made of Jack Horner of the nursery rhyme fame. Some people claim that he was a historical figure, the steward of Richard Whiting (1461-1539), the last abbot of Glastonbury. As the story goes, during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, the abbot is said to have sent his steward to the king with a gift - a pie containing the deeds of some manor houses, one of which Horner extracted. While this story cannot be fully confirmed, it is true that a Thomas Horner did take over the manor of Mells after the dissolution and his family have lived there since.

Early History of the Hornere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hornere research. Another 222 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1452, 1544, 1551, 1570, 1589, 1605, 1645, 1646, 1660, 1677, 1680, 1681, 1687, 1696, 1707, 1713, 1727, 1817 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hornere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hornere 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 Hornere 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 Hornere include Horner, Hornere, Horners and others.

Early Notables of the Hornere family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir George Horner (1605-1677), an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1645 and 1660; and his son...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hornere Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hornere family to Ireland

Some of the Hornere family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hornere 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 Hornere or a variant listed above: Thomas Horner settled in Virginia in 1623; James and Roger Horner settled in Virginia in 1638; Thomas Horner settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, two children, and servants..

The Hornere Motto +

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: Nitor in adversum
Motto Translation: I contend against adversity.

Citations +

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)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.