Show ContentsLillicrap Surname History

Etymology of Lillicrap

What does the name Lillicrap mean?

The Lillicrap surname is derived from the Old English word "lilie" which denoted the flower, "lilly" and "cropp," which meant "top" or "head." It is thought that the name was a nickname for someone with fair hair.

Early Origins of the Lillicrap family

The surname Lillicrap was first found in Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held lands in the village of Lillicrop.

Early History of the Lillicrap family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lillicrap research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Lillicrap History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lillicrap Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lillicrop, Lillicrap and others.

Early Notables of the Lillicrap family

More information is included under the topic Early Lillicrap Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Lillicrap migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lillicrap Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • George and Richard Lillicrap were both recorded in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871

Lillicrap migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lillicrap Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • H. Lillicrap, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th June 1861 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Lillicrap (post 1700) +

  • Dr. David Lillicrap, Canadian in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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