Horncastle Family History

From Horncastle in Hemsworth (WR Yorks), which is recorded as Hornecastle in the 13th century. The place-name derives from Old English horn ‘horn’ probably in the sense ‘horn-like projection on a building gable end pinnacle’ + castel ‘castle camp’. The surname expanded in S Yorks and probably accounts for the post-medieval surname in north Notts. Medieval bearers in Nottingham however have been allocated to (2).

From Horncastle (Lincs), which is recorded as Hornecastre in 1086 and Horncastell about 1360. The place-name derives from Old English horn ‘horn-shaped piece of land river bend’ + cæster ‘city Roman fortification’. This is probably the source of the surname at various times in Lincs, ER Yorks, Norfolk, the Midlands, and the London area.