Tannkert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Tannkert was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. It comes from the ancient Norman given name Tancred. The Tanksley variant is indeed rare. However, this name traces its origin to Roger Tankerlayman who was listed in Yorkshire in 1387. 1

Tankersley is a parish, in the union of Wortley, wapentake of Staincross, in the West Riding of Yorkshire 2 and dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Tancresleia. 3 Literally the place name means "woodland clearing of a man called Thancred," from the Old English personal name + "leah." 4

Early Origins of the Tannkert family

The surname Tannkert was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Boroughbridge in that shire. They were descended from Tancred, son of the Good Marqis, who governed the principality of Antioch as Guardian of the Emperor Bohemond II. Tancred, whose barony was in Normandy in 912 A.D. was also the sire of the celebrated Tankervilles. Whixley in the West Riding of Yorkshire was home to one branch of the family.

"The living [of Whixley] is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king's books at £7. 17. 1.; net income, £68; patrons and impropriators, the Governors of the Tancred charities. Christopher Tancred, Esq., whose family were long seated at the Hall, at his death in 1754, left his house to be converted into an hospital for twelve decayed gentlemen, and endowed it with estates which, in 1815, were let for £2480 per annum." 2

Much father to the south in Cornwall, the Tencreek family was found. This variant is rare today but at one time, they held many manors and estates. By example, at one time the manor of Ellenglaze, in St. Cuthbert belonged to the family of Tencreek. 5

Early History of the Tannkert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tannkert research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1187, 1594, 1652, 1663, 1665, 1680, 1685, 1686, 1689, 1703, 1744, 1754 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Tannkert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tannkert Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Tannkert include Tancred, Tancard, Tancert, Tancrette, Tankard and many more.

Early Notables of the Tannkert family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Tancred, 1st Baronet (d. 1663), descendant of Richard Tankard, who owned lands at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire; Sir William Tancred, 2nd Baronet (d. 1703); Sir Thomas Tancred, 3rd Baronet (1665-1744); and Sir Thomas Tancred, 4th Baronet (d. 1759). Christopher Tancred (1689-1754), was an English benefactor, born Whixley, the second...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tannkert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tannkert family to Ireland

Some of the Tannkert 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 Tannkert family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Tannkerts to arrive on North American shores: Walter Tankard arrived in Virginia in 1716; William Tankard settled in Virginia in 1606; 14 years before the "Mayflower"; William Tankard settled in Maryland in 1774..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print