Lascells History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Lascells family, who lived in the village of Lacella in the French region of Orne, where they were titled the Barons of Messie.

"William de Lacelles, who in 1165 held two fees in Yorkshire, was plaintiff in a suit against his uncle Ralph for Lacelle and the barony of Messie, which Ralph inherited to him as an inheritance." 1

"This Norman adventurer seems to have been requited for his services by grants in the Northern Counties, particularly in Yorkshire, where his descendants were seated at a very early period." 2

Early Origins of the Lascells family

The surname Lascells was first found in Yorkshire, where the family was "a family of ancient standing in this county, descended from John de Laselles, of Hinderskelfe, now called Castle Howard, in the wapentake of Bulmer, in the North riding, living in the ninth year of Edward II. For seven generations immediately following they were called 'Lascelles alias Jackson.' " 3

Sowerby in the North Riding of Yorkshire was an early home to some of the family. "This place, at an early period, was the property of the Lascelles family, who in the reign of Elizabeth granted it to the Meynells, whose descendant Thomas Meynell, Esq., is now lord of the manor." 4

"Roger de Lascelles is mentioned in 1131 as one of the 'men' of Earl of Stephen of Richmond, and held Scruton and Kirby in the North Riding [of Yorkshire]." 5

Early History of the Lascells family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lascells research. Another 349 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1165, 1273, 1295, 1380, 1574, 1603, 1612, 1624, 1647, 1655, 1658, 1665, 1667, 1668, 1690, 1713, 1719, 1734, 1737, 1745, 1753 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Lascells History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lascells 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 Lascells were recorded, including Lascelles, Lassells, Lascell, Lassell, Lasselle, Lasell, Laselle, Lascelle, Lasceles, Lacelles, Lassels, Lacelles, Lacells, Lascells, Lasselis, Lescellis, Lessels and many more.

Early Notables of the Lascells family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Roger Lacelles, summoned to Parliament as a Baron in 1295; Richard Lassels (also Lascelles) (c.?1603-1668), English Roman Catholic priest and a travel writer; Thomas Lascelles (Lassells) (ca.1624-1658), English officer in the Commonwealth's army and a landowner; Thomas Lascelles (Lascelles and Lassells) (c.1624-c.1658), an officer in the Commonwealth's army and a landowner; Francis Lascelles (1612-1667), of Stank...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lascells Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lascells 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 Lascells arrived in North America very early: Henry Lascelles, who sailed to Georgia in 1735; W. Lascelles, who immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1749; Eliz Laswell, who arrived in New York in 1821 with her eight children, Agnes Lascelles, who settled in New Brunswick in 1825.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3