Surname Lancastre - Meaning and Origin

Lancastre: What does the surname Lancastre mean?

The surname Lancastre is often believed to originate from Lancaster, a city in the North West of England. The name Lancaster itself is derived from the River Lune and the Old English word 'ceaster', which is taken from the Latin 'castrum', meaning 'fort'. So, the name essentially means 'fort along the River Lune'. Over time, with various cultural and linguistic modifications, the name Lancaster evolved into different variations, Lancastre being one of them. The Lancaster family was one of the prominent lineages in England, linked to nobility and aristocracy, notably the House of Lancaster, a branch of the Plantagenet royal house that ruled England in the 14th and 15th centuries. Thus, the surname Lancastre hints at a historical, possibly noble, lineage tied to the city of Lancaster.

Lancastre: Where does the name Lancastre come from?

The surname Lancastre has its origins in England, more specifically from the English county of Lancashire. The name is of locational origin and indicated families who were originally from this area. Lancastre, or its more common variant Lancaster, initially gained prominence as an identifier to separate individuals with a similar first name in periods where surnames were not common.

English nobility, such as the House of Lancaster, a prominent branch of the royal House of Plantagenet, is also associated with the name. They were key players in the historical Wars of the Roses in the 15th century, giving the name more exposure and prominence.

Today, the surname in its original form, Lancastre, is not as widespread. However, the form Lancaster is more prevalent and is found more commonly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, it remains a relatively uncommon surname overall compared to many others.

Variations of the surname Lancastre

The surname Lancastre is primarily associated with the English county of Lancashire and possibly the city of Lancaster. It is believed to have originated from the old English elements "lan" meaning land or place and "ceaster" referring to a Roman fort or town.

Notable variants of the surname Lancastre include Lancaster, Lancester, Lanchester, and Lanceastres. This surname may also be found as de Lancaster, from Lancaster, or van Lancaster, denoting origin or residence.

These variations arose due to changes in spelling conventions over time and differences in regional dialects. It's not uncommon for spellings to have changed even within the same document in the medieval period, as standardized spelling was not a priority and scribes recorded names phonetically.

Additionally, the French spelling "Lacastre" and the Spanish version "Lanacastro" may also be considered variants. People with these surnames may be descendents of Englishmen who moved to France or Spain, or they might have had ancestors from Lancaster who moved to their respective countries in the medieval period.

It's also worth noting that many surnames of English nobility, such as Plantagenet, were often linked with the Lancaster surname due to historical associations between noble families.

Famous people with the name Lancastre

• Catherine of Lancaster: Queen consort of Castile and mother to King Henry IV of Castile; she was the daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Constance of Castile.
• Anne of Lancaster: daughter of John of Gaunt and Constance of Castile, Anne was thought to have been born in 1383, being the first child of their marraige.
• Isabella of Lancaster: The eldest of the three daughters of John of Gaunt, Isabella was betrothed to Charles VI of France, although this was later annuled when the marriage proved politically unsound.
• Humphrey of Lancaster: Humphrey was the second son of Henry, 4th Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth. The Duke of Gloucester in the court of Richard II, he was known for his misconduct and opposition to the King.
• Henry of Lancaster: Henry was the fourth son of Henry of Grosmont and his second wife, Aline de Pipard. He succeeded his uncle Thomas, Duke of Lancaster, as the 5th Earl of Lancaster in 1345.
• John of Lancaster: John was the fourth son of Henry, 4th Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth. He was made Duke of Bedford by Richard II, acting as a counsellor for the King.
• Thomas of Lancaster: Thomas was the first son of Henry, 4th Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth. He became the 3rd Earl of Lancaster in 1345 and was beheaded in 1388 for his role in the Peasants' Revolt.
• Blanche of Lancaster: The younger daughter of Henry, 4th Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth, Blanche became the first wife of John of Gaunt.
• Henry of Lancaster: A prominent English soldier and a major general in the Spanish American War of 1898, he was the son of Alfred Henry Lancaster and Sabina Smith.
• John of Lancaster: A British Air Marshal in the Royal Air Force, John was born in 1881, serving as the commander of the Inland Area from 1936-1940.

Other surnames

Lancaster