Larke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the family name Larke date back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name given to a person who can sing beautifully like a lark. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Larke family

The surname Larke was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Larke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Larke research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1275, 1332, 1490, 1520, 1529, 1544, 1584 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Larke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Larke 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 Larke include Lark, Larke, Larks, Laurk, Lauerk, Larkie, Larkey and others.

Early Notables of the Larke family

Distinguished members of the family include

Ralph Larke, a prominent 13th century landholder in Norfolk
Joan Larke (c.1490-after 1529), English mistress of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and the mother of his two illegitimate children

Larke migration to the United States +

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:

Larke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Chris Larke, who settled in Colorado in 1893

Larke Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Leonard J. R. Larke, aged 22, who landed in America from Southend, England, in 1911
Robert Larke, aged 50, who landed in America, in 1911
Wm. J. Larke, aged 37, who settled in America from Rugby, England, in 1912
Lillian T. Larke, aged 24, who settled in America, in 1912
Aubrey Larke, aged 47, who landed in America from London, England, in 1917
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Larke (post 1700) +

Matthew Larke (b. 1987), American professional ice hockey player
John Short Larke (b. 1840), English-born, Canadian diplomat, Canada's first trade commissioner to Australia (1894 to 1905)
Glenda Larke, Australian writer, finalist in the 2003 and the 2006 Aurealis Awards