Lanyon – Page 4 – The Lanyons

22nd Aug 202211th Nov 2025

The Sons of William Laniene Esq

William had nine daughters and four sons: Richard his son and heir, William, Walter and Edward.

Richard Lanyon Esq 1516-1592

Richard Lanyon Esq was born about. 1516 and was buried 18 Dec 1592 at Gwinear, Cornwall. He married Margaret Treskillard and they had at least twelve children, eight sons and four daughters.

Margaret was the daughter of Thomas Treskillard and Elizabeth Penwarne. Thomas of Treskillard Manor, Illogan, died before 1533 (we know this as his 2nd wife Isabel was mentioned as his widow in a legal dispute of 1533). Elizabeth Penwarne was born at Penwarne Manor Mevagissey.

Penwarne Manor Today

Margaret married Richard Lanyon Esq abt. 1535.

Margaret was famous for having a dream about the location of a new tin mine.

“Richard Lanyon of Gwinear found a rich tin work as a result of a dream of his wife, and made nearly £4000 in four years”.

Source: ‘Tudor Cornwall’ by John Chynoweth.

“Some have found Tynne-workes of great value, through means no less strange, then extraordinaire, to wit, by dreams. As in Edward the sixth time, a Gentlewoman, here to one Tresculierd, and wife to Lanine, dreamed that a man of seemly personage told her how in such a Tenement of her land, she should find so great store of Tynne as would serve to enrich both her selfe and her posterity. This she revealed to her husband: and he putting the same in trial found a work which in four years was worth his welneere so many thousand pounds.”

Source: ‘The Survey of Cornwall and an Epistle Concerning the Excellencies of the English Tongue’. By Richard Carew 1602

Richard Carew (1555-1620), aged 32, as High Sheriff & Deputy-Lieutenant of Cornwall (English). National Trust, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

£4000 in four years was a huge amount of money in Tudor times. This is the family at the height of its success. In less than a hundred years much of it would be lost by Richard and Margaret’s great grandson.

In 1561 he was described in his son’s marriage settlement as Richard of Morvah so he must have been living at Tregamynyan at that time. By 1569 two years after the death of his father he was living at the family manor at Gwinear and was listed on the 1569 Muster Roll for Gwinear.

‘Corslet mourion long bow sheaf of arrows bill a gelding with his…. Richard Lanyne gent furnushed. Ability a, ar‘ (Archer).

The 1569 Muster Roll was to include all men between 16 and 60. For wages over £5 a certain amount of weaponry/armour had to be provided. For goods over £10 the same applied, bow, arrows and bill being the lowest contribution rising to furnishing horses at the higher end with goods over £400 or an income of over 100 marks anyone with a park was expected to supply horse.

Property Transactions

In 1578 sale by John Noy yeoman of Madron to Richard Lanyon of land in Newlyn.

Source: Royal Institution of Cornwall

1587 Property Transaction: Richard Lanyon of Gwinear esquire and John Lanyon of Madron his son and heir to Nicholas Botistowe of Newlyn of three gardens and a hemp plot.

Source: Royal Institution of Cornwall

Map of Cornwall showing Newlyn & Paul

Newlyn

Richard died in 1592 and was buried at Gwinear on the 18th December, thirteen years after his wife’s death.

William Lanyon abt. 1520-1597

William ‘Generosi’ Lanyon (William’s second son) was probably born after 1516 and died 7 Oct 1597 at Breage, Cornwall. (see separate post about William Lanyon – Breage Branch.)

Walter Lanyon abt. 1520-1605

Walter Lanyon was probably born 1520s-30s. He married Elizabeth Nanspyan the daughter of John Nanspyan and Joan Tregose of Godrevy Manor, St Erth. Elizabeth was buried 28 Sep 1598 at Madron and Walter was buried 12 May 1605 at Madron.

There are no records of any children born to this couple however a property lease shows at least one son, John.

“Tenant Walter Lanyon, mort., Elizabeth ux and John (80) filius by grant of Richard Lanyon esq and John Lanyon 11 Eliz. Previous tenant John Angove. Also a corn mill and stamps. John Lanyon gent by grant of Richard Lanyon of Nancothan esq 5 James holds Lanyon Rysech (except the mills) on lives of Francis Lanyon, 50, Alexander, 48, and David ,46. Rent £6.”

Source – Henderson’s MSS 30534 pt 7 (transcribed in a letter from Rose Tolman to William Lamparter 6 Jun 1970).

This proves that Walter and Elizabeth were tenants of Richard Lanyon esq (his brother) and John Lanyon, (his nephew) in 1569. It confirms the lease to Walter’s son and grandsons when the property is owned by Richard Lanyon of Nancothan in 1608. Walter’s son John was aged 80 in 1632 when the lease was renewed by Jonathan Rashleigh (the new owner of Madron) and it confirms the ages of Walter’s three grandsons.

There are few mentions of Walter in the records, I could only find the following:

1569 Muster Roll of St Erth – Water (sic) Lanyne – Bow shaft arrows, ability B

21st Apr 1577 Peter and Hellynor servants of Walter Lanyon gent married at Madron. (Source: Madron Parish Register.)

Edward Lanyon -aft. 1586

Edward Lanyon – There is no record of a baptism, marriage or burial and most family trees don’t include him. Initially it looked as though he was not on the 1569 Muster Roll, however there is an Edward Leyne on the 1569 Muster Roll for Padstow (near Crugmorreck) which could be him. He died aft. 1586 but there is no trace of a burial. Perhaps he left Cornwall to find his fortune as many younger sons did.

Most records show William Laniene having only three sons however he must have had at least one more as there is a legal document that names him.

Lawsuit over Crugmorreck, St Merryn

Parties: 1) Edward Lanyen 2-3) George Arundell and John Michall.

Letters patent of Queen Elizabeth, giving record of a lawsuit in court of the Queen’s Bench, enrolled Easter term, 1570 (12 Elizabeth), in which (1) had brought a bill in Hilary term last past [1570] against (2)-(3) ‘in custod’ marr’ maresc’ Domine Regine’ in a plea of trespass and ejection of farm. Recites that Richard Lanyen esquire, on 20 September 1569 (11 Elizabeth), had granted to party (1) 30 acres of land, being one close called Crukemorecke (parish of Seynt Meryn), for (1) to hold for term of 6 years from St Bartholomew last past [24 August 1569]; on the following 26 September [1569], (2)-(3) forcibly entered the tenement and ejected him from it, to (1)’s damages of 20 marks. Now on Wednesday 12th/19th April (Wednesday after 18 of Easter) 1570, (2)-(3) came to reply, pleading not guilty. (1) said that Peter Edgecombe esquire was sheriff of Cornwall, and a kinsman of (1), being son of Elizabeth, daughter of Joan daughter of Thomas Tregian, who was also father of Thomasina, mother of (1); therefore an order was given to have come 12 men of the view of Seynt Meryn before the Queen at Westminster on Friday 3 November (Friday after the morrow of All Souls). Later it was respited until Saturday 9 October 1574 (Saturday after the octave of Michaelmas, 16 Elizabeth), unless previously [resolved?] on 16 August at Launceston Castle by form of statute. On which date [9 October] some of the jurors impanelled came (namely Thomas Trenance de Wythyell, William Achyb gentleman, Richard Braye de Saynt Clare, and William Kyllyowe de St Tethe), and some not, so that others present were appointed at the request of (1), namely Thomas Hawke, William Lytell, Edward Murthe gentleman, Richard Drenyok, Thomas Bugge, William Blygh de Polhille, Thomas Roche and John Frenche. Then (1), though solemnly summoned, did not appear, and his bill against (2)-(3) was not further prosecuted. So (1) to be in mercy for a false claim, and (2)-(3) to go free without a day. Royal seal. Dated 28 Elizabeth.

So Edward Lanyon states that his mother is Thomasine Tregian, daughter of Thomas Tregian.

Source: CRO AR/3/39

There is no record of a marriage or burial for Edward but he may have had descendants.

There are another two possible sons of William Laniene

William may have had other sons who are not documented as they were born after the first Herald’s Visitation of 1531 and died before the second visitation.

There is a John Lanyon who was buried at Gwinear 22nd Jul 1563. Could he be an undocumented son of William Laniene and Thomasine Tregian?

Could this John be the father of Sader (Sarah?) Lanyon who was also buried at Gwinear on 30th Mar 1565 and listed as the daughter of John? A John Lanyon was also listed as the father of Richard Lanyon who was buried at Gwinear on 15 Oct 1547. It’s impossible to say with any certainty how they are all related.

Gwinear Church – Jowaninpensans, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There was also a George Lanyne, gent who was baptising children at Sancreed in the 1560s and was probably born in 1530s who may also be a relative. He was buried at Sancreed on 16th Nov 1592. The description of him as a gentleman indicates that he could be the son of an esquire or gentleman.

21st Aug 202210th Dec 2025

John Lanyon the son of Walter and Elizabeth

John Lanyon was the son of Walter Lanyon and Elizabeth Nanspyan. He was born in 1552, we know that from a lease signed in 1632 which gives his age as 80.

It seems likely that he was the John Lanyon who married Margaret daughter of Sampson John Richard on 24 Nov 1578 at Madron, Cornwall. The Marriage register was started in 1577 and John’s marriage was one of the first recorded.

We know that John had at least four children which are mentioned in his will of 1634. We know the years his three sons were born as they are also mentioned in the 1632 lease.

Ann abt. 1580 – 1662
Francis 1582 – 1661
Alexander 1584 – 1669
David 1586 -1641

John may have had more children. There is a Margareta Lanyon who married the Reverend John Tremearne, Vicar at Paul on 21st May 1598 and she could be his daughter. Sadly she died on 14 Feb 1603 at Paul leaving two sons Henry and Richard.

John and Margaret Lanyon lived at Paul (Penolva Farm) until they inherited barton of Lanyon following Walter’s death in 1605. Jane Veale Mitchell mentions them at the Penolva property but I haven’t yet found documentary evidence to back that up. Perhaps it was mentioned in a will that she saw but which has since been lost.

Another hypothesis is that John and Margaret were the parents of Sampson Lanyon (possibly named after Sampson John Richard) who married Johane Noye on 19 Jul 1602 at Sancreed, Cornwall. Johane was the daughter of Johane Noye who died in 1606 and it is her will which names Sampson Lanyon.

Sampson & Margareta Lanyon possible issue from John & Margaret

JOHANE NOYE of Sancreed, widow

written: 26 Jun 1605
proved: 4 Sep 1606

parish of Sancreed  1 ewe sheep
parish of Maddern  12 d.
for forgotten tithes  1 ewe sheep
son: WILLIAM NOYE  best brass pan of 5 gallons, 2 tin platters, 2 milche
 	cows, 1 heifer, 2 silver spoons, 3 ewes, 3 wethers
daughter: MARGARET  my Irish rug, 2 silver spoons
WILLIAM NOYE's 3 children  12 d. apiece
MARTEN HARRY's 3 children  12 d. apiece
daughter: JOHANE  1 ewe, 1 wether, 2 silver spoons, a coser, a latte?, 
	& my best petticoat
ELIZABETH HOSKEN  1 ewe sheep
WILLYAM HOSKEN's children  1 ewe lamb
RICHARD HOSKEN's children  1 ewe lamb
poor children of Sancreed  3 pounds of wool
RICHARD HOSKEN  3 pounds of my best wool
WILLIAM HOSKEN  1 ewe lamb
JOHANE LANYON  1 heifer & her calf
SAMPSON LANYONE  all the rest & executor

Johane ( ) Noye

witnesses: RICHARD PARKEAGE, clerk, RICHARD ( ) HOSKEN, JOHN ( ) NANGILLIAN, RICHARD BREACHE

Inventory taken 31 August 1606 by JOHN LANYON, gent, SAMPSON NOYE, WILLIAM LANYON & RICHARD BREACHE

AP/N/26
++++++++++

Source: CRO AP/N/26

I did find the following record which shows a connection between the Lanyon & Noye families at Madron.

‘Bargain and sale houses and land at Newlyn Paul

12 Nov 1586

R Rashleigh family of Menabilly
Format Manuscript Extent 1 piece
Description
Parties: 1) Richard Lanyon of Gwinear, esquire, and son John Lanyon of Madron, gentleman to 2) John Noye of Madron, yeoman. Houses and land at Newlyn.’

Source: CRO R/1154

John Lanyon is mentioned in various records. In Mousehole in 1598 A John Lanyne paid 21d on two tenements and a garden in the manor of Alverton.

1605 John signed the inventory of the goods in Raphe Lanyon’s will.

1616 John signed the inventory of the goods in George Lanyon’s will.

John left a will dated 1634 which mentions several Mousehole and Penzance people, tenants and friends.

(John’s surname is spelt various ways – Lannyen, Lamyne, Lanyne, Lanion and Lanyon!)

John died 15 Apr 1634 at Madron. He is described as a ‘gent’.

Will of John Lanion Executed 11 Mar 1634 Proved by Francis Lanion his son.

Bequests of small sums of money are made to the following:-

Alexander Lanion and Davy Lanion my sons. Frances and Thomas sons of Davy Lanion, Gone (Joan) daughter of Davy Lanion. Maud and Ane daughters of Alexander Lanion, Walter and John sons of Alexander Lanion. Margaret and Sara Noy daughters of Sampson Noy, William, Walter, George and Richard Noy sons of Sampson Noy, Elizabeth Jearman (nee Noy) wife of Thomas Jearman. Ane wife of Sampson Noy. Bennet and Sampson Lanion ons of Frances Lanion. Seusane daughter of Frances Lanion. Elezabeath wife of Frances Lanion, Phillip (Philippa) wife of Eleazander (Alexander) Lanion and Jone wife of Davy Lanion.

The Church and poore of Madron. John Treat, John Holla, John Charles and Richard Lanion my god children. Margaret Robins and Jone Robins. John Manly and his sister An Terald. All the rest to Frances Lanion his sonne of Madron who he made executor.

Witnesses: John Osborn (mark), Robert Treuren, Davy Lanione (mark).

Inventory taken by Richard Trewren and John Osborne, yeomen 2 Jun 1634.

Total £39 6s 8d

Source: Exeter Probate Registry – Transcription by Jane Veale Mitchell.

Ane wife of Sampson Noy is John’s daughter Ane Lanyon.

21st Aug 202211th Nov 2025

The Two Johns

Richard Lanyon Esq and Margaret Treskillard had two sons both called John!

Both sons are listed in J.L.Vivians 1887 edition of:

‘The Visitation of Cornwall: Comprising the Herald’s Visitations of 1530, 1573 and 1620’ by The College of Arms.

Initially this looks like it must be a mistake but Jane Veale Mitchell (an early 20th century Lanyon family history researcher) writes to Dr Bullmore on 10th Sep 1926.

‘I took up these two Johns with the Herald, Coll/Arms and he distinctly states that there were two Johns, sons of Richard and M. Treskillard. John the elder married Mylliton/1563.’

Perhaps when the second son was born the first was ill and not expected to live so the parents hurriedly named their new son John in order to perpetuate the family name and then the first son survived! (the elder John had a son William who also had two daughters both called Elizabeth who were both living at the same time!)

John was probably born late 1530s early 1540s. He married Phelype Myliton on 18th Jan 1562 at Breage, Cornwall. Their marriage is one of the first recorded in the Breage Parish Register.

John the elder (later he was John Lanyon Esq)

Phelype (Philippa) was one of six daughters of Sir William Myliton and Honor Godolphin of Pengersick Castle at Breage. In 1561 the two families agreed a marriage settlement:

William Myliton of Pengersick, William Lanyon of Gwinear and Richard Lanyon of Morvah his son and heir. Upon marriage of John, son of Richard Lanyon and Phelype daughter of William Myliton. Covenant to settle various manors with lands in Gwinear, Madron, Morvah, Buryan, Sennen, St Levan, Kenwyn, St Just, Paul, St Merryn, St Ervan, St Issey and Padstow to the use of Richard Lanyon for life then to John Lanyon and his issue. Source: Royal Institution of Cornwall – Rashleigh MSS.

Pengersick Castle – Alice Penger, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Phelype Myliton had a number of sisters who were her co-heirs after the death of her only brother, William in 1571.

Avice Myliton married Richard Erisye and Sir Nicholas Parker
Grace Myliton married Nicholas Trefusis and Nicholas Tregodeck
Elizabeth Myliton married Thomas Trenwith, Robert Arundell and Thomas Hearle.
Eleanor Myliton married John Bonython (21st Jun 1562)
Anne Myliton married William Abbott (23rd Nov 1563)
Mary Myliton married William Penhellick
Margaret Myliton buried 9th Apr 1570

Source – Letter Rose B Tolman to WSL 15 Aug 1971.

John and Phelype’s first son and heir was Francis Lanyon he was followed by William. There may have been other children from this marriage but no records have been found.

In 1569 John Lanyon junior gent took action against John Olliver, Thomas Jarinan, Henry Arthur & William Carno over property in Treveglos in the parish of St Merryn.

Source: Kings Bench Plea Rolls – KB27/1229

In 1571 Honour Myliton (John’s mother-in-law) and John Lanyon lease to Gabriel Robyns land in Treworran Wollas in Breage.

Source: Royal Institution of Cornwall – HD/11/52

On 29th Dec 1578 Phelype Lanyon died at Madron. Plague had affected the area for several months that year and Madron’s parish register shows a big increase in the number of burials of many local residents. Perhaps Phelype also succumbed?

Sometime after December 1578 and before July 1581 John Lanyon married for a second time to Katherine/Catherine Kekewich, daughter of George Kekewich Esq, MP and Catherine Courtenay. There is no record of the marriage but we know that Katherine married John Lanyon from other records.

George Kekewich’s will written in July 1581 states “To my daughter Cate Lanyon the £6.13.4 given her by her grandmother Buller & £3.6.8 more”.

Katherine is also mentioned in a property transfer.

In 1589 Richard Lanyon Esq, John Lanyon and Katherine his wife transferred to William Lanyon of Gwinear (John’s younger brother) the Manor of Tregamynion. William paid £100 for the estate.

Source: Royal Institution of Cornwall 19 Jan 1589 HJ/3/12. Cornwall Feet of Fines 31 Elizabeth.

Katherine and John had a son called George. There is no trace of George’s baptism or burial but we know he existed from Kekewich family wills.

“I give the blynde Lanian, my kinsman xxs a year towards his mayntenance untill my heire accomplish the age of xxi years.”

Source: The will of George Kekewich, Katherine’s brother, was written 22 June 1607 and proved 20 May 1612. The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 119

“I give George Lanion twenty shillings a year during my lease of Manoby with the proviso that he wander not the country as a beggar contrary to God’s and Man’s laws. Hoping the rest of his friends will make up the rest that must be paid for his board.”

Source: The will of Francis Kekewich, Katherine’s brother, who died in 1633. The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 164

There is no mention of George in any Lanyon will yet he appears to have been alive from the 1580s to the 1630s. How did he survive after his mother’s death?

George’s mother Katherine died 29th Oct 1592 at Breage. The relevant page in Breage’s parish register has been damaged and it is not possible to read the whole entry to confirm her name!

“uxor Johis Lanyon armiger” – wife of John Lanyon Esquire

Sometime between 1592 and 1599 John Lanyon Esq married for a third time. We know this from the sale of the Manor of Treskillard and land at Illogan in 1599 which mentions his wife Margaret. There is no record of this marriage but early parish registers have damaged and missing pages.

John must have inherited this property from his mother Margaret Treskillard.

‘Final concord, Manor of Treskillard (Trescullard), Illogan and Camborne

Parties: 1) Alexander Thomas alias Pendervas, querent

2) John Lanyon, esquire and Margaret his wife and John Trewren, gentlemen, deforciants

Consideration: £60 sterling – Manor of Trescullard with appurtenances and six messuages, six gardens, sixty acres of land, sixty acres of pasture, one hundred and twenty acres of furze and heath and forty acres of moor, with appurtenances in Trescullard Veor, Truscullard Vean, Trewone, Polcarrowe, Newton, Carmothe, Logan and Camborne.

Dated at Westminster in the octave of St Michael in the forty first year of Queen Elizabeth after the Conquest.’

Source: Cornish Record Office PD/2/7

The death of John Lanyon Esq is not recorded, nor is there a will however we do have an administration for John Lanyon Esq dated 18 Mar 1605, St Merryn.

John Lanyon Esq of Merrine died June 1604/5, adm of his goods granted to his widow Margaret on 18 March 1605 (Julian calendar). This was “prayed” by Richard Vivian gent, Otes Merifeild, gent, William Marfield gent and Thomas Speare.

Household goods and items connected with a small farm, inc a harrow, a cornpike, two pigs, etc. Total £40 12/- 3d

Otes Merifeild (sic) was his brother in law. It seems a very small estate for a man who was once so wealthy. Could it have been the estate of a different John Lanyon? Could it have been his younger brother John? There was only one John Lanyon Esq, he did own lands at St Merryn and it seems unlikely that three gentlemen would have been involved with the estate of someone who was impersonating John Lanyon Esq. John Lanyon the younger would not have been entitled to call himself esquire.

If this is John Lanyon Esq son of Richard Lanyon and Margaret Treskillard what happened to his fortune? Perhaps he has already passed much of it onto his children and grandchildren? Perhaps he had lost it through legal disputes, so popular with the landed gentry at this time. I found one such dispute between a John Lanyon, his wife Margaret Trewynnard and others.

A John Lanyon and his wife Margaret Trewynnard were involved in a legal dispute with John Nance alias Trengove in 1600. In the late 16th century Martin Trewynnard mortgaged his manor for £500 to John Nance alias Trengove. He subsequently died and the mortgage was unpaid. John Nance took advantage of Trewynnards heir and pressured him into signing an unfair agreement. When Trewynnard’s heir died his four sisters became the legal heirs. The court ordered the four girls to repay John Nance £450. John Lanyon and his wife Margaret agreed to pay their quarter share by 1603 but they were unable to do so. Margaret’s brother-in-law Christopher Maynwareing agreed to take over their share on condition they paid him by 1604 which they failed to do. John died and by 1608 Margaret was ordered to pay the rest and damages of £10.

Legal Dispute – Source: Anglo American Legal Tradition – AALT C78/449

Is this the same John Lanyon Esq married to Margaret who died at St Merryn in 1605? It’s impossible to say for sure but John Lanyon Esq’s grandson Richard’s ante-nuptial settlement states:

“Richard Lanyon of Nancothan in Madron esquire, to Philippa Risdon of Buckland Brewer esquire (sic) and John Allyn of Little Torrington, gent. Conveyance in consideration of his late marriage with Jane his wife – of all the manor of Treveglos in St Merryn, the barton and demesnes of Nancothan in Madron, the manor of Lanyon etc. the life interest of Margaret Lanyon widow in Treveglos reserved. “

Which implies that it must have been his grandfather who lived at Treveglos in St Merryn.

17th Aug 202211th Nov 2025

Alice Lanyon – The First Portrait

Philip Rashleigh settled in Fowey, in the 16th century, as a trader. His son’s marriage to Alice Lanyon resulted in the acquisition of Cornish properties and soon they became prolific merchants and ship owners.

In time they would own property at nearby Menabilly as well as a new townhouse in Fowey (now the Ship Inn.)

Fowey

According to research they benefited from the dissolution of the monasteries by scrupulously buying land and re-selling at a profit. By marrying into wealthy Cornish families the Rashleighs became huge landowners with significant influence across the county. Many became MPs and it was Menabilly, on the Gribben Peninsula, that provided the family home.

Alice was born abt. 1520 and died 20th Aug 1591 at Fowey, Cornwall. She married John Rashleigh abt. 1540. They had twelve children, eleven girls and one boy. Only six of their daughters survived. Her son John, placed a brass commemoration plaque in Fowey church and it’s still there over 400 years later!

Alice Lanyon brass plaque in Fowey Church Drawn by Dunkin, Edwin Hadlow Wise

The brass plaque is not the only portrait of Alice.

Nicholas Hilliard also painted their portrait.

Alice and John Rashleigh by Hilliard painted 1581

This portrait is the first Lanyon portrait!

Alice and John’s descendants lived at Menabilly, Fowey. The house was later leased to Daphne Du Maurier and became the inspiration for Manderley in the book ‘Rebecca’.

Alice and John’s town house in Fowey is still there today, it’s now called The Ship Inn.

The Ship Inn, Fowey by Len Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

17th Aug 202211th Nov 2025

The First Esquire – William Laniene

Richard Lanyne (the son of John Lanyen and Isabell Ruthfrey) married Isabel Trelissick. Richard’s son and heir was William Laniene born abt. 1480 but it’s not clear if Isabel Trelissick was his mother or if she was Richard’s second wife. William’s sister, Isabel was born in 1496. There is no trace of any other siblings but Benoit’s 1531 MSS states that Thomas Treuran married Isabell the 1st daughter of Richard Lanyne of Trylyswyke so that implies there must have been at least one other daughter.

William was the first recorded esquire

Heraldic visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms. Their purpose was to register and regulate the coats of arms of nobility, gentry and boroughs and to record pedigrees. They took place from 1530 to 1688, and their records provide important source material for historians and genealogists. Much of the Lanyon family information from the 16th & 17th century comes from these visitations. They visited Cornwall in 1531, 1573 and 1620. Families submitted trees to establish their right to bear arms. (The trees weren’t always correct!)

The definition of an Esquire is “the eldest son of a knight and their eldest sons in perpetuity”. Second sons were styled “Gentlemen” and the sons of gentlemen were given the title Mr. (daughters were addressed as Mrs. even when single). A Yeoman was a landowner but not considered genteel enough to be styled Mr or gentleman.

Below yeoman was a husbandman and below that serf/villein/cottar, then came domestic servant and finally in the pecking order vagabond and slave.

Whilst these terms started to fall out of use by the late 17th and 18th centuries in the 16th and early 17th centuries they were still generally adhered to and that’s a huge help to genealogists.

In 1531 William Laniene gave his family tree to the heralds and his right to ‘bear arms’ was documented. The first Lanyon to bear arms may have been born much earlier than William but this is the first documented esquire.

Grant of Arms to Bacon family – British Library, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

William lived at Gwinear. Perhaps a medieval long house was not sufficiently grand, perhaps it just wasn’t big enough for his large family or perhaps it’s just a bit too cold and windy in West Penwith compared to Gwinear!

William married Thomasine Tregian the daughter of Thomas Tregian of Tregian and Truro and Margaret (daughter of William Kingdon and widow of John Borlase) abt. 1505. William’s large family (at least nine daughters and four sons) married into the important families in the county.

William large family requires two images!

We don’t know the dates of birth for all his children or the order they were born in-

Alice born abt. 1520 died 20th Aug 1591 married John Rashleigh abt. 1540.
Elinor married John Carveigh.
Cecilia/Cicely born abt. 1520 married Martin Angwyn abt. 1540.
Isabell married ? Tresprison.
Anne married John Wood alias Atwood.
Thomasine died 12th April 1593 married John Cosgarne.
Jane married Alexander Arundel. Their descendants were the Arundel’s of Leigh.
Philippa married Edward Noy Esq abt. 1556
Johanna/Joan married Bennet Penrose 1553 (she was the first of his 3 wives so presumably died young.)
Richard, his eldest son and heir born abt. 1516 and died 18th Dec 1592 married Margaret Treskillard.
Edward died aft. 1586.
William ‘Generosi’ died 7th Aug 1597. Married Tamsin and Margaret.
Walter died 12th May 1605 married Elizabeth Nanspyan.

William Laniene died 20th Mar 1567. (Source- Inquisition Post Mortem 1586 of William Lanyon Coswinwollard, Gwinear. Source CRO/R/1168)

William owned substantial lands. Gilbert says “this William succeeded his father in considerable estates in Maddern, Morva and other adjoining parishes….”. The Penwith Subsidy Roll of 1509-1523 lists the following: value of land by the year – Willm Lanyine Gwinear 41s, St Erth 41s, Gulval 11s 8d, Madron 111s 8d.

In common with much of the landed gentry in Cornwall at that time William was frequently manipulating and speculating in land often with his relatives.

In a legal dispute from 1504-1515 William Laniene claims a right to part of the estate of the late Michael Ruthfos. Michael left his large estate to a Thomas Ruthfos and his heirs, with remainder to a John Ruthfos and his heirs, and a further remainder to a Richard Ruthfos and his heirs. William Lanyon appears to claim that as Thomas and John Ruthfos died without heirs he, as a son of Richard Lanyon, has a right to the property. If Richard ‘s mother Isabel Ruthfrey was the daughter or heiress of Richard Ruthfos this could explain how he got the name Richard. Variations of the name Ruthfos appear so Ruthfrey is possible.

Legal dispute -Source : Anglo American legal Tradition – aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT7/ChP/C1no341/IMG_0085.htm

Court of Star Chamber 1509-1547

PLAINTIFF: Alan Powe DEFENDANT: William Lanyen, Tamysen (Thomasine) his wife and Thomas Trewren. Messuage and land in Cosswyn Wulward.

PLAINTIFF: William Lanyon DEFENDANT: Thomas William, Jenett his wife, and John and Robert their sons. Source: National Archives STAC 2/30/48

PLAINTIFF: Thomas William DEFENDANT: William Lanyeyn and Thomasyn his wife, Richard Lanyeyn, William Lanyeyn, junior, John Breton, and John Trespryson. Source: National Archives STAC 2/30/48

PLACE OR SUBJECT: Forcible entries in Gwinear COUNTY: Cornwall, William Lanyeyn and Thomas William. Source: National Archives STAC 2/30/48

Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office:

John Nanscuvell and William, son and heir of Richard Lanyen. v. John Tremayle and Thomas Deane, feoffees to uses. Messuages, land, rents, and services in Treveben, Tregollas, Trehenben, Trewynnyan by Trewothek, Trearnan, Treneryn, Tregonvoen, Trevethen, Date: 1504 – 1515 Source: A C1/341/56

In 1533-38 Thomas Tresculard’s widow Isabel took action against William Lanneyen and others over the detention of deeds relating to messuages and lands in Tresculard and elsewhere. Source: C1/911

The History of the Family Borlase cites a legal dispute over woods at Bridockke involving Thomasina’s nieces where evidence was given that Thomasina’s brother John referred to William Lanyne as his brother in law. Source: The Genealogist Magazine Vol III 1886.

Mentioned in a deed, 1 Mar 1554, Cornwall, England. Grant of land, Penrose, Sennen and land in Sancreed. Parties: 1) Joyce Penrose of Penrose, gentleman, to 2) Radulph Penrose, John Treuryn and William Lanyon. Penrose [Sennen], Respletha, etc, and Brane, Bosence and Zelena in Sancreed.

William was also a ‘tinner’. In Oct 1556, Cornwall, England, William and his partner David Angove were given a licence, for two years, to search and dig for tin anywhere on the lands of the Earl of Oxford throughout Cornwall. Source: CRO AR/1/852

William is also listed on the ‘Tinner’s Muster Roll’ of 1539 for St Clement, Cornwall. Stannary of Tywarnhaile, Moreske Manor. Whole Harness (the harness and trappings for a horse which might include armour).

In 1539 William could have been almost 60 years of age (Henry VIII would have been 48) and there were threats from Scotland, the low countries, France and Spain so it was possible that he may have had to fight.

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Lanyen v Lanyen 1502

Thank goodness the Lanyons were so litigious as it has left us with a paper trail to follow.

John Lanyeyne (the son of John Hicka alias Lanyein) died in 1476 and his heir was also called John Lanyen. The Account Roll of Connerton for 1476/77 records the death of John Lanyeyne who held 2 acres Cornish at Coswynwulward.

Source: (CRO AR/2/195)

“Goswyn Lanyon, formerly “Coswynwolward”, in Gwinear: John Lanyeyn, the heir of John Hicka, in Goswyn, 2 acres Cornish, in socage; yearly rent, with common suit of court, 6s. at the 3 dates stated, and 20d. at Michaelmas = 7s. also for offering and aid at Michaelmas, 3d.”

Source: Devon and Cornwall Record Society, Vol 41, 1955, p45.

John Lanyen married Isabell Ruthfrey, daughter of Thomas. The name is variously spelt Ruthfrey, Rathrey and Ruthvey. Their son and heir Richard Lanyne was born abt. 1460.

In 1488, John Lanyen is listed among the free tenants who paid a fine for release of suit of court at Connerton, Gwithian. (CRO AR/2/92.)

There is no record of Isabell’s death but John remarried and his second wife Katryn was in dispute with her step son Richard, in 1502, following John’s death.

Lanyen v Lanyen.

Plaintiffs: Richard, son and heir of John Lanyen.

Defendants: Katherine Lanyen, his stepmother, executrix of John Lanyen.

Subject: Detention of deeds relating to messuages and land in Coyswyn, Wolward, Lanyen, Tregamenyon, Rysyk, Bossowolowe, and elsewhere. Cornwall

The dispute shows that John Lanyeyn was in possession of 12 messuages (a dwelling house with outbuildings and land assigned to its use) 300 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 200 acres of pasture and 200 acres of furze and heath. The land was situated in Coswyn Wolward, Lanyen, Tregamynyan, Rysyk, Bossowolowe and elsewhere is Cornwall.

Source: Early Chancery Proceedings C1 Bundle 266/4

Court of Chancery C 1460 – Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Mekely besechyth your gode Lordshipp your oratour Richard Lanyen son and heir of John Lanyen of the Counte of Cornwall that where the seid John was seased of XII messuag CCC acre of londs XL acre of medowe CC acre of pasture CC acre of furze and heth with their appurtenances in Coswyn Wolward Lanyen Tregamenyan Rysyk Bossowolowe and elsewhere in the counte aforeseid in hys demesne as of fee tail and of such estate by ptestacon (protestation) died seased after whose deth the premisses descended unto your seid oratour as to son and heir of the seid John by reason whereof your seid oratour entred in to the premisses and their apputenances and thereof was seased in hys demesne as of fee tail and yet is and it is so gracious lord that all the evydens charters and munements concernyng the premisses that were the seid John fader to your seid oratour be come and in the possession and kepyng of one Katryn Lanyen Wedowe late wife to the fader of your seid oratour and steppe moder to the same and executryx of the testament of the seid John and howe be it your seid oratour hath oftentymes required the seid Katryn hys moder in lawe to delyver hym the evydens charters and munements concernyng the premisses and that to do has at all tymes refused and yet refuse contrarie to right lawe and gode constiens (conscience) as might thereof please your gode lordshipp the premiss tenderly considered to grant a derycte sub poena to be direct to the seid Katryn commandyng her by the same personaly to appear by fore the Kyng in hys chauncery at a certen day and under a certeyn payn by your lordshipp to be lymytted and this for the love of godde and in the way of charitie.”

Legal dispute – Court of Chancery Six Clerks Office C1/266/4

David Thomas V Thomas Tregian 1504-1515

From all the properties listed in Lanyen v Lanyen we can see that they were a wealthy family however before his death John Lanyen was in ”great necessities and need” and borrowed £260 from David Thomas.

Source: National Archives C 1/367/7

William Wareham Archbishop of Canterbury – Hans Holbein the Younger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

To William Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England.

‘John Lannyen being in “great necessitie and nede” borrowed £260 from David Thomas, and for guarantee of repayment “made estate” to D. Thomas of his messuages lands and tents in Lannyen, Resyk, Chy[woo]n and Trenyventon. The conditions of the loan were that D. Thomas should have possession and all the issues and profits of these properties until the loan was repaid. The terms for repayment were that there should be 6 payments of £20, followed by a payment of £40 and a final payment of £100. J. Lannyen guaranteed that his heirs or assignees would honour this agreement. At the time of J. Lannyen’s death only the six £20 payments had been made. Richard Lannyen, son and heir of J. Lannyen then disposessed D. Thomas and installed Thomas Tregian in the said properties. T. Tregian promised D. Thomas that if he was given all the deeds to the said properties and documents relating to the loan that he would take over the loan, of which £140 was still outstanding. D. Thomas handed over all such documentation but T. Tregian has subsequently ignored all requests to repay the outstanding debt.‘

So begins a period in the family’s history where they spent a great deal of time on litigation which is great for family historians!

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Princess Joan of Kent

We learn about the next generation of the Lanyon family from a legal dispute of 1386 with Princess Joan of Kent, the widow of Edward the Black Prince, who fought at Crecy. She would have been queen but her husband died before his father, Edward III, and the throne passed to her son, Richard II.

The legal dispute between Princess Joan and the Tregamynyans and Lanyons had rumbled on for many years and was only settled after Joan’s death in 1385.

Joan of Kent from illustrated manuscript, Cotton MS Nero D VII, folio 7v, aka: The Benefactors’ Book of St Albans Abbey (‘the Golden Book of St Albans’)

When James Tregamynyan died without heirs the estate passed to his aunt Sibyl Lanyeyn and her sister Isabel. Isabel was married to John Robyn. Sibyl, Isabel and John Robyn granted the lands to John Lanyeyn but he was ousted by James Park (Keeper of the Fees for Princess Joan of Kent) who claimed that Robyn was a villein of the princess. Consequently when the pincess died the land passed to the king who granted it to a man named Langueth. Raphe Lanyeyn, John and Sibyl’s son, requested that this should be repealed.

The judgement favoured Raphe Lanyeyn but Alexander Langueth was later allowed a rent free life interest in Isabel & John Robyn’s portion.

Richard II – Westminster Abbey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“To John Aston Escheator in Cornwall. Order to remove the King’s hand and meddle no further with a moiety of the lands of Joceus de Tregemyngnoun, delivering to Ralph son of John Lanyeyn any issues thereof taken; as the king. Has learned by inquisition, taken by the Escheator that the said Joceus was seized of 12 messuages, 3 carucates of land and 20s of rent in Tregemynyan, Trenwen, Croghton, Tregessyelle, Keguyn and Bossnyoun, that he had a son named Richard and two daughters Sibyl & Isabel and died, that Richard his son & heir had a son named James. And died, that the said James died without issue, that Sibyl the said first daughter married John Lanyeyn, that they had a son named Ralph and the said John died, that Isabel his second daughter married John Robyn, a villein of the princess as of her dower in Cornwall, that the said Sibyl and John Robyn with Isabel his wife were seized of all the premises and granted the same to the said Ralph and the heirs of his body, that he was seized thereof by virtue of that grant, taking all the profits, until be reason of John Robyn’s neifty (servitude, bondage, or villeinage) James Park, Keeper of the fees of the Princess of Cornwall seized all the premises, thrusting out the said Ralph and that for that cause the same are in the king’s hand by the death of the princess; and now at suit of the said Ralph, after deliberation in chancery with the justices, the king reckons the seizure insufficient in regard to one moiety of the premises being aware that his other’s feodary seized that moiety without process of law.”

Source: Calendar Curia Rolls 9 Richard II Vol 3 (1386)

Calendar of Close Rolls, Ric II, vol. III, 1385-1389, (Public Record Office, 1921), p.71 (1386 order to remove King’s hand from moiety of lands of Joyce de Tregemyngnoun, delivering petitioner any issues taken thereof)

Calendar of Patent Rolls, Ric II, vol. III, 1385-1389, (Public Record Office, 1900), p.304 (1387 grant for life to petitioner of all lands and tenements late of James Tregamynyon).

Legal Dispute with Princess Joan – SC 8/305/15206 National Archives

Lanyons of Lanyon Madron Cornwall 1929 – John & Sibyl by JVM Download

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David de Kylminawis

David was born about 1280 and died after 1341. David may have been the brother of Sarah Lynyen. It’s not possible to say with any certainty but they were both living at the same time. The tree below shows the possible relationship.

Kylminawis – Kyl may be the equivalent to the Scottish Kil meaning church so Kylminawis possibly refers to St Minver in North East Cornwall.

A Cornish language expert has also suggested that the name Kylminawis is near identical to the earliest recorded spellings of Kilminorth, Talland on Cornwall’s southeast coast. Those spellings are ‘Kilminawyd’ and ‘Kylmynawyd’ 1284, It’s thought to contain the words ‘kyl’ meaning ‘nook, back, ridge’ and ‘menowes’ meaning ‘awl, or a hill, stone or piece of land shaped like an awl.’ I haven’t been able to find any connection to this area and the 1341 charter mentions David’s bake house in Portzwyhan which is now Port Quin which is on the north coast near St Minver. There are also family connections to St Ervan, St Merryn, Padstow and Harlyn.

In 1341 there is a charter which mentions David de Kylminawis and his son John who married Sibyl de Tregamynyan.

St Enodoc’s Church at St Minver by Peter Skynner,

Edward III – Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“David De Kylmynawis to John his firstborn son & heir, and to the heirs of his body by Sibyl daughter of Joceli de Tregaminion his wife, with remainder to the grantor and his heirs. Charter with warranty of all his messuages, lands etc. In Kylmynawis, namely yards, gardens, woods, meadows, moors, turbaries, launds an pastures, and his corn mill there with multiple, waters and watercourses or beads, his bake house with garden in the town of Portzwyhan, the rent and service of John de Landewarnek and his heirs for lands held of the grantor in Kylcoys, of Simon de Kylcoys there, of Paternus and Robert brothers of the grantor for lands of him held for their lives in Kylcoys, of Margery his sister likewise in Araweyte, and the reversion of all lands of the said John, Simon, Paternus, Robert and Margery which they claim to hold for life of the grantor and his heirs when it shall fall in.”

Dated Kylminawis, Friday before St Barnabas 15 Edward III

Source: CCR Calendar Curia Rolls, Henry IV, Vol.4, 1441-47, (Public Records Office, London, 1937), 452/3.

Portzwyhan is Port Quin today.

Port Quin

Port Quin and St Minver in North Cornwall.