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![Show Contents]() Lancester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Lancester was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Lancester family lived in the city of Lancaster, in Lancashire. Early Origins of the Lancester familyThe surname Lancester 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 Lancester familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lancester 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 Lancester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lancester Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Lancester has been recorded under many different variations, including Lancaster, Lancashire, Lancester, Lancoster, Lancastell and many more. Early Notables of the Lancester familyAnother 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lancester Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Lancester family to Ireland
Some of the Lancester 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 Lancester familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Lancesters were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Gowen Lancaster arrived in Virginia in 1635; Phillip Lancaster arrived in Barbados in 1680 with his servants; William Lancaster settled in Barbados in 1668.
- '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.
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England
Ireland
