| ![Show Contents]() Lanacre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of LanacreWhat does the name Lanacre mean? Lanacre is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Lanacre family lived in Cheshire. Linacre was an English topographic name for someone who lived near a field where flax was grown for the manufacture of linen cloth. It derives from the Old English word lin, meaning flax, and the word aecer, meaning cultivated field. Individual cases of the surname may be derived directly from this source, or second-hand from the towns of Linacre in Lancashire and Cambridge, both of which get their names from this source. Early Origins of the Lanacre familyThe surname Lanacre was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Linacra in 1086. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, the family name is conjecturally descended from Godwin de Linacra, a Norman Baron, as noted in 1086. However, it is likely that soon after, they gave their name to Linacre across the River Mersey from Meols, now a suburb of Liverpool and in the parish of Walton on the Hill. Early History of the Lanacre familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lanacre research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1460, 1500, 1518, 1524 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Lanacre History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lanacre Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Linacre, Linaker, Leneker, Linneker, Liniker, Linnecar, Linnecor, Linegar, Linnegar, Lineker, Lynaker, Lynacre, Lynneker, Lenniker and many more. Early Notables of the Lanacre familyThomas Linacre (c1460-1524) humanist and physician who was born in Canterbury. Eramus and Sir Thomas More were taught Greek by him and about 1500 King Henry VII made him tutor to Prince...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lanacre Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lanacre family to IrelandSome of the Lanacre 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 Lanacre familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Lanacre or a variant listed above: James Linacre, who settled in New York in 1796.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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