Leneard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the name Leneard are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name for Leonard. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint. In this case the surname Leneard was originally derived from the well-known saint, St. Leonard who was a popular both in England and in France.

Early Origins of the Leneard family

The surname Leneard was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Leneard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leneard research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1570, 1590, 1591, 1600, 1604, 1615, 1616, 1637, 1654, 1661, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1698, 1701, 1709, 1715 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Leneard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leneard Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Leneard has been spelled many different ways, including Leonard, Leonards, Lennard and others.

Early Notables of the Leneard family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Henry Lennard, 12th Baron Dacre (1570-1616), an English Baron and politician; Sampson Lennard (died 1615), of Chevening in Kent, an English Member of Parliament, High Sheriff of Kent (1590-1591); Sir Stephen Lennard (c. 1604-1680), 1st Baronet of West Wickham; and his son...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leneard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leneard family to Ireland

Some of the Leneard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leneard family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Leneards to arrive in North America: John Leonard brought his family to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1639 and was killed fighting Indians in 1676. Henry Leonard settled in Massachusetts in 1640.