Show ContentsTranchard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tranchard Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Tranchard

What does the name Tranchard mean?

The Norman Conquest of 1066 added many new names to the island of Britain. Tranchard is a name for a soldier. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old French word trenchire, meaning a swordsman, soldier, or man of war. 1

Anciently the family came from Normandy, France and while the family became a noted English family shortly after the Conquest, not all of the family made the trip as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Richard Trenchart in Normandy in 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Tranchard family

The surname Tranchard was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Ralph Trencart, Trenchard was listed as holding lands in Somerset. 3 Later Robert Trenchart was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166 as holding lands in Hampshire. 1

"Baldwin de Ripariis, Earl of Devon, granted Hordhill, in the Isle of Wight, to the ancestor of this family, Paganus Trenchard, temp. Henry I. The name is most probably derived from the Old French trencher, to carve; and it may refer to the occupation of the original bearer, either as a carver of viands, or as owner of a trenchant blade in war." 4

The family rose to prominence in Dorset and was most notable in this area for centuries.

Early History of the Tranchard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tranchard research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1509, 1548, 1582, 1586, 1588, 1601, 1613, 1621, 1625, 1630, 1640, 1657, 1662, 1684, 1695, 1713, 1720, 1723, 1754, 1758, 1873, 1919, 1923, 1930, 1936, 1951, 1956, 1979, 1983, 1987 and 1999 are included under the topic Early Tranchard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tranchard 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 Tranchard were recorded, including Trenchard, Trancherd, Trencher, Trenchar and others.

Early Notables of the Tranchard family

George Trenchard (c. 1548-1630), of Wolveton and later of Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, an English politician; George Trenchard, an English politician, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dorset in 1601; and George Trenchard (c. 1684-1758), of Lytchett Matravers, near Poole, Dorset, a British landowner and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons for 35 years between 1713 and 1754. John Trenchard (1586-1662), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons, Member of Parliament for Wareham (1621-1625); Sir Thomas Trenchard (1582-1657) of...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tranchard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tranchard 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 Tranchard arrived in North America very early: Symon Trencherd, who settled in Virginia in 1637. Attorney General George Trenchard of New Jersey settled there in 1686; he was from Somerset in England, he was succeeded by Edward Trenchard of New York City. In Newfoundland, Benjamin Trencher was a blacksmith of Lower Island Cove in 1838.

The Tranchard Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nosce Teipsum
Motto Translation: Know thyself.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

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