Surname Lascelles - Meaning and Origin
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Lascelles: What does the surname Lascelles mean?
The last name Lascelles is of Norman origin and is believed to have originated from a place name. This Norman origin makes the Lascelles family hereditary members of the British aristocracy, as they were given estates in Britain by the Norman barons who invaded in 1066.
The name Lascelles is derived from the Old French term “lassel” which means “little castle.” It is possible that the original members of the Lascelles family were granted estates at a place near a small castle, hence the place name. This is why the name may signify “of the castle” or “from the castle.”
The Lascelles family have had a rich history in England over the years. There were several branches of the family in the sixteenth century, some of whom asserted a claim to the Barony of Guardington. Later on, in the nineteenth century, the most prominent branch of the Lascelles family was the Earls of Harewood. The seventh Earl was married to Princess Mary, the granddaughter to King George V, making the Lascelles an integral part of the British Royal Family.
Today, members of the Lascelles family can be found all around the world, as the name has spread far and wide. It is a testament to their noble Norman origins and their fascinating story.
Order DNA origin analysisLascelles: Where does the name Lascelles come from?
The last name Lascelles is most common in the United Kingdom, where many of its bearers can trace their lineage back to the small hamlet of Lascelles in North Yorkshire. In recent census studies, it has been reported that approximately 5,000 British people bear the Lascelles surname.
In the British Isles, those bearing the Lascelles surname are often associated with high ranking families, particularly in England. The Lascelles family has been prominent in the North of England for centuries, with original records showing a Norman ancestor actively engaged in landholding near Northallerton in 1489.
Today the Lascelles family are spread far and wide, with members of the family holding positions as politicians, academicians, and even royal titles. In 2008 Earl of Harewood, the 7th Earl of the Lascelles family was among the senior members of the British Royal Family to attend Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles.
The surname Lascelles is also strongly represented in other parts of the world. In Canada it is most common in the province of Quebec, in France it appears mainly in the Deux-Sèvres department (also located in the north of France) and in Australia and New Zealand, it appears mainly in Murray and Wellington regions. It is even found in small but noticable numbers in the United States.
Overall the surname is still active and commonly used in a variety of parts of the world, although the majority of people living in England, French, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States who bear the Lascelles surname are likely descendants from the original family which established itself in the North of England in the 14th century.
Variations of the surname Lascelles
Lascelles is an English and French surname derived from the toponym Lascelles or La Celles, usually a place name from northern France, likely derived from the Latin cella, meaning a dwelling. It is thought to refer to one who hails from a small village.
Variants of the surname Lascelles include Lacelles, Laceils, La Selle, Lacelle, Lascelle, Lasceles, Lasselle, Lasseles, Lassylles, Le Cel, Lescel, Lacel, La Noël, Noëlles, La Celles, and de Lascelles.
Spellings of the same origin include Lasceaux, La Seylle, Lasseaux, Lacelles, Les Seaux, Lessell, Lesselles, Lascou, Lashl, Latcels, Lasceilling, Lasceils, Lasceillings, Lascellis, Laschell, Laschelles, Laschelt, and Lescelle.
Surnames of the same origin include Lacy, de Lacy, LaCasse, Case, Lace, Lester, and Lassels.
Lascelles is a very ancient surname, and has a strong connection with the Normans who arrived in the British Isles in the 11th century. Despite its French derivation, it is most commonly found in the North of England, particularly in Yorkshire.
Famous people with the name Lascelles
- Mark Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood: British businessman and inheritor of the Lascelles family title.
- Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood: British businessman and earlier inheritor of the Harewood title Elliot Lascelles, 5th Earl of Harewood: earlier British peer.
- Diana Lascelles: ex-Showtime executive and consultant.
- Benjamin Lascelles: British musician and composer.
- Arthur Lascelles: British soldier and politician.
- Andrea Lascelles: British businesswoman and founder of the Lascelles Group.
- JH Lascelles: British soldier.
- Christopher Lascelles: British soldier.
- Guy Lascelles: British philanthropist, journalist, and educationalist.
- David Lascelles: Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council.
- Cecil Lascelles: former Chairman of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers.
- Adam Lascelles: British sound engineer and producer.