Brief Life History of Ellen
When Ellen Spencer was christened on 15 December 1776, in Penwortham, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, her father, James Spencer, was 21 and her mother, Anne Capstick, was 30.
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Family Time Line
Sources (1)
- Ellen Spencer, "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
Parents and Siblings
1755– Male
1746– Female
Siblings (4)
1770– Female
1772– Male
1776– Female
1780– Female
World Events (3)
1815
1823
1825 · Museum of Lancashire
Name Meaning
English (Lancashire and Yorkshire): occupational name for someone who dispensed provisions or money, from Middle English spenser(e), spencer(e) ‘household steward, butler, almoner’ (Anglo-Norman French espenser, Old French despensier). Compare Spence and Spender . There is some dispute about the origins of the Spencer family, whose most famous member in recent times was the late Princess of Wales, born Lady Diana Spencer (1961–97). Some sources say that they are descended from William the Conqueror's steward, Robert Despencer. What is clear is that by the 15th century they had become prosperous from sheep farming in Northamptonshire. Robert Spencer (died 1627) was said to be the wealthiest man in England. Their titles have included Earls of Sunderland and Earls Spencer; and through the female line the 5th Earl of Sunderland also became Duke of Marlborough in 1733. This connection was the result of the marriage, in 1700, of the 3rd Duke of Sunderland to the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The youngest son of this union, John Spencer (1708–46), was the father of the 1st Earl Spencer (1734–83).
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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