Lacks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Lacks

What does the name Lacks mean?

The name Lacks is thought to have been from the Old Norse word "lax," and be a nickname from the salmon. 1

Early Origins of the Lacks family

The surname Lacks was first found in Norfolk where as a forename, Lax de Ludham was recorded at Holme, Norfolk (1141-1149.) Years later, Thomas Lax was listed as a Freeman of York in 1351. 1

Early History of the Lacks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lacks research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1351, 1729, 1741 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Lacks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lacks Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Lacks include Lax, Laxe and others.

Early Notables of the Lacks family

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

Migration of the Lacks family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Ann Lax who arrived in Virginia in 1731; George Lax who sailed to America in 1744 and Christian Lax who arrived in Philadelphia in 1792.

Contemporary Notables of the name Lacks (post 1700) +

Henrietta Lacks (1920-1951), born Loretta Pleasant, an African American woman whose cancer cells were the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized cell line

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)