Origins Available: English, Irish
Anglo-Saxon name that was originally 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 Lenarte was originally derived from the well-known saint, St. Leonard who was a popular both in England and in France.
Early Origins of the Lenarte family
Kent where they held a family seat from very early times.
Early History of the Lenarte family
Another 241 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1570, 1616, 1615, 1590, 1591, 1604, 1680, 1637, 1709, 1681, 1685, 1698, 1701, 1654, 1715, 1661, 1722 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Lenarte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Lenarte Spelling Variations
hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Lenarte include Leonard, Leonards, Lennard and others.
Early Notables of the Lenarte family (pre 1700)
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 Lenarte Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Lenarte family to Ireland
Some of the Lenarte family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 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 Lenarte family to the New World and Oceana
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Leonard brought his family to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1639 and was killed fighting Indians in 1676. Henry Leonard settled in Massachusetts in 1640.
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