EnglandThe ancestors of the Tanckerville family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Lincolnshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Tanerdevilla, Normandy. "An ancient barony in the arrondissement of Havre in Normandy, called in records Tancredi villa, 'the vill of Tancred,' and, at the present day Tancarville. The ancient barons of Tancarville were hereditary chamberlains to the Dukes of Normandy." [1]
The surname Tanckerville was first found in Lincolnshire where this family has to be considered one of the premier Norman families of all time. Tradition has it that they are descended from Tancred who lived in 912 A.D. and whose fief in Normandy was named Tanerdevilla. Descended was Gerold, Sire de Tankcarville who had three sons, Ralph, who was Chamberlain and Guardian to William Duke of Normandy, Gerold, was Dapifer of Duke William, and Amaury. "Ralph was guardian to Duke William, hereditary Chamberlain of Normandy, and founder of Bocherville Abbey." [2]
Ralph's son William, was Treasurer to King Henry 1st, and Justice of England. He married Matilda, the daughter of William, the Viscount d'Arques. He had two sons, Rabel and Ralph. They held lands in Grantham, Oston and Somerly. [3]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanckerville research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 113 and 1137 are included under the topic Early Tanckerville History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Tanckerville were recorded, including Tancerville, Tankerville, Tancarville, Tankarville, Tancarvill and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Tanckerville Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Tanckerville arrived in North America very early: Christopher Tancarvill who landed in North America in 1746.
