Lancaste History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Today's generation of the Lancaste family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Lancaste family lived in the city of Lancaster, in Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Lancaste family

The surname Lancaste was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Constables of Lancaster Castle from very ancient times. One of the first records of the family was found in Litherland, one of the ancient manors of Aughton. "About the middle of the twelfth century it was granted to Warin de Lancaster, chief forester, by the serjeanty of keeping the lord's falcons." 1

The chapelry of Milburn, Westmorland is also of significance to the family in early times. "The chapel, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, was founded by William de Lancaster, about 1355. Many vestiges of encampments are visible. Howgill Castle, formerly the seat of the knightly families of Lancaster and Sandford, and which, with Grange Hall and Lownthwaite, belongs to the Earl of Thanet, lord of the manor, occupies a commanding situation, half a mile east of the village; some of its walls are 10½ feet thick." 2

Early History of the Lancaste family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lancaste research. Another 218 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1068, 1070, 1114, 1150, 1334, 1618, 1650 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Lancaste History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lancaste Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Lancaste were recorded, including Lancaster, Lancashire, Lancester, Lancoster, Lancastell and many more.

Early Notables of the Lancaste family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir James Lancaster (died 1618), a prominent Elizabethan trader and privateer

Migration of the Lancaste family to Ireland

Some of the Lancaste 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 Lancaste family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Lancaste arrived in North America very early: Gowen Lancaster arrived in Virginia in 1635; Phillip Lancaster arrived in Barbados in 1680 with his servants; William Lancaster settled in Barbados in 1668.

Citations +

'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.