Surname Lankester - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lankester: What does the surname Lankester mean?
The surname Lankester is of early medieval English origin, deriving from the Old Norse term "Langakstr", which literally translates to 'long stone'. It is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived near a notable long stone or an oblong piece of land. The name also appeared in many medieval documents in various formats like Lancaster, Lankester, or Lancester due to changes in spelling conventions over time. It started gaining widespread usage, especially in Lancashire County, after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and has a stronghold there ever since. The city of Lancaster also got its name from the same root, and it might be used as a locational surname for those originally hailing from the area. Given these origins, the surname Lankester signifies past habitation, geographic features, and regional identity of the individuals bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLankester: Where does the name Lankester come from?
The surname Lankester is of English origin and is a regional name from Lancaster in northwestern England, near the Lake District. Initial bearers of the surname were likely inhabitants of this region. The place name Lancaster itself is derived from the River Lune and the Old English term 'ceaster' which referred to a Roman fort or town. The Roman fort on the River Lune was accordingly named 'Loncastre' where 'Lon' represented the River Lune and 'castre' denoted the fort.
Today, this surname, in its various spellings including Lancaster, Lankaster, and Lankester, is found in English-speaking countries around the world. However, it is most common in England, particularly in the area surrounding the city of Lancaster. The surname migration has also led to a notable presence in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Various eminent personalities bear this name including British biologists Edwin Lankester and his son Ray Lankester.
Variations of the surname Lankester
The surname Lankester has various variants and spellings that have originated due to regional differences, phonetic pronunciation, or translation through different languages. Some of the variants include Lancaster, Lanchester, Langcaster, Lankaster, Lancastre, Lankestar and Lancastar. The name could also be misspelled as Lankister, Linkaster or Lankastar.
The unique letters, location, or sound formation in a name often lead to (intentional or unintentional) misspelling or variations of the name. These variations may also occur when the name is translated into another language or altered to match a specific country's phonetics or script.
The surname Lankester is believed to be of old English origin and typically denotes people from Lancaster in northwestern England. Lancaster was originally called Lunecastre, which means "Roman fort on the River Lune," signifying geographical origins. Hence, the surnames bearing the same origin could potentially be names indicating geographical landmarks or places, though it may be challenging to explicitly establish those connections. It's quite common for surnames to embody a shared ancestry, originating from a common geographical area or signifying a particular profession.
Famous people with the name Lankester
- Theodore Lankester: He was an English lawyer, author, and politician, noted particularly as a railway finance expert.
- Edwin Lankester: He was a British biologist and zoologist who studied the relationship between invertebrates and evolution of the species.
- John Roland Lankester: He was a British geologist and botanist who found specimens of fossil plants in Africa and Asia.
- Marjorie Lankester: She was an English actress, who appeared in many British films during the 1930s and 1940s.
- Charles Eliot Lankester: He was a British entomologist and zoologist who established the first scientific institute in London.
- Erik Lankester: He was a British Distribution Network Operator, a professional in the gas industry.
- George Lankester: He was a British barrister and judge, who was knighted for services to both criminal and civil law.
- David Lankester: He was a British naval journalist, who wrote extensively on the British and French fleets and navies.
- Vincent Lankester: He was a British horticulturalist, who conducted research into botanical pests and diseases.
- Ernest Lankester: He was a British soldier, who commanded a regiment of the Royal Scots Fusiliers during World War I.