Show ContentsLantay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Lantay

What does the name Lantay mean?

Lantay is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a person or officer who was in charge of washing derived from the Middle English word "lavendrie." 1 2

However other source disagree. One course claims the name is a "descendant of Landry (country, powerful)" 3 and another claims the name is from the "Anglo-Saxon, a landríca, specifically a ‘lord of the manor,’ ‘land­lord,’ ‘ local magnate.’ " 4

Early Origins of the Lantay family

The surname Lantay was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Landri and Landricus were registered. 5 Later, Gerard Landri was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1198. In Lincolnshire, Willelmus filius Landrei was registered in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1219 and later in Somerset, Ricardus de la Lavendaria was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1219. Again in Somerset, Robert de la Lauendrie was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1278. 1

In Somerset, we found these early entries, 1 Edward III (during the reign of King Edward III): William le Lavender, Somerset; and Roger atte Louendrye, Somerset. 6

"This surname has crossed the Atlantic and flourishes in the States, although all but extinct in England." 2

Early History of the Lantay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lantay research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Lantay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lantay Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Lantay has appeared include Landry, Landray, Landrey, Laundry and others.

Early Notables of the Lantay family

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

Migration of the Lantay family to Ireland

Some of the Lantay 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 Lantay family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Lantay arrived in North America very early: a large family of Landry who settled in Oxford in Maryland in 1763; including Charles, Elaine, Elizabeth, Jean, Joseph his wife Mary; Judith, Margaret, Marie, and Simon. In Newfoundland, John Landry settled in St. John'.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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