Lyons family facts for kids

The Lyons family (also known as de Lyons or Lyon) is a very old and important family. They came from a region in France called Haute Normandie. Their story began with Ingelram de Lyons, who arrived in England in 1066 with the Norman Conquest. Another family member, Nicholas de Lyons, came to England in 1080. He was given land at Warkworth, Northamptonshire by King William the Conqueror.

Over time, members of the Lyons family moved to different countries. In the 14th century, some went to Scotland. There, they became known as Clan Lyon and held important titles like the Lords of Glamis. Later, they became the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. In the 15th century, another part of the family moved to Ireland. They settled in places like River Lyons and Ledestown Hall. From there, they served as local leaders. Some of their descendants became famous diplomats and admirals. In the 16th and 17th centuries, some Lyons family members also moved to America.

The Lyons Family Story

Where the Lyons Family Began

The Lyons family name comes from the Forest of Lyons in Haute Normandie, France. Their first home was the Castle of Lyons. The name "de Lyons" means "of Lyons." Later, the "de" was dropped, and some family branches even removed the "s," making the name "Lyon."

The family's original coat of arms showed three silver lions on a black shield. Their motto, "Noli irritare leones," means "do not provoke the lions."

The Lyons in England

In 1066, Ingelram, Lord of Lyons, came to England with the Norman Conquest. He received land in Corsham. Later, in 1080, Nicholas de Lyons and his son, Sir John de Lyons, arrived. Sir John is seen as the founder of the English Lyons family.

King William I gave Nicholas land in Warkworth, Northamptonshire. The family later bought Warkworth Castle there. This castle was their main home in England until 1412. It was a large mansion with towers. Many family members are buried in the Church of St Mary in Warkworth.

One famous English Lyons was Sir Richard Lyons (1310–1381). He was a wealthy merchant and a friend of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Sadly, he died during the Peasants' Revolt. Another important member was Sir John Lyon, who was Lord Mayor of London from 1554 to 1555.

A very notable John Lyon (who died in 1592) founded Harrow School. This famous school, along with The John Lyon School and a charity, are named after him. He owned a lot of land in Harrow-on-the-Hill.

The Lyons in Scotland

Some of the Lyons family moved to Scotland around the late 11th century. They joined King Edgar's army. After Edgar's victory, they received land in Glen Lyon in Perthshire.

Other sources say the Scottish branch started with Sir John Lyon (1289–1348). He was born in Scotland and was a Baron. His son, Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis (1340–1382), was a very important person. He married a daughter of Robert II of Scotland, who was the King. Sir John was known as the "White Lyon" because of his pale skin.

His family became the Lords of Glamis. Later, they were given the titles Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. These titles are still held by the family today.

The Lyons in Ireland

The Irish branch of the family began with Captain William Lyons. He was a Huguenot (a French Protestant) who came to England in 1572. He joined the army of Elizabeth I of England. In 1599, he fought in Ireland.

William was later given land in King's County, which became known as River Lyons. He also bought other large estates. The main Irish home of the Lyons family was Ledestown Hall in County Westmeath. Many family members served as local leaders in Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries.

From Ireland to the World

Admiral Lord Edmund Lyons, 1st Baron Lyons

Some Irish Lyons moved to Antigua in the Caribbean. Major Henry Lyons, a grandson of Captain William Lyons, moved there in the early 1700s. He was part of the Council of Antigua.

His great-grandson, John Lyons of Antigua (born 1760), inherited the family's estates in Antigua. John and his wife, Catherine, later moved to England. They had 15 children. One of their sons was Edmund Lyons, 1st Baron Lyons. He became a famous admiral and diplomat. He served as an ambassador in Sweden, Switzerland, and Greece. A river in Australia is named after him.

Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, photographed by Mathew Brady

Edmund's son, Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, became one of Queen Victoria's favorite diplomats. He was the British Ambassador to the United States during the American Civil War. He helped solve a big problem called the Trent Affair. He also served as the British Ambassador to France. His work was so important that a "Lyons School" of diplomacy was named after him.

The Lyons in America

After the English Civil War in the 17th century, many English Lyons family members moved to America. William Lyon (1620-1692) was one of the first to arrive in 1635.

One famous American descendant was Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. He was the first Union General to die in the American Civil War. He was honored by Congress, and 15,000 people attended his funeral. Several places in the United States, like counties in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Nevada, are named after him. Two forts and several streets also carry his name.

Famous Lyons Family Members

• Ingelram de Lyons, Lord of Lyons, from Normandy (a founder of the family).
• Nicholas de Lyons (another founder).
• Sir Richard Lyons, a wealthy financier and friend of Geoffrey Chaucer.
• Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis, an important figure in Scotland.
• The Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, a noble Scottish family.
• Sir John Lyon, Lord Mayor of London in the 1550s.
• John Lyon (died 1592), who founded Harrow School.
• Admiral Edmund Lyons, 1st Baron Lyons, a British diplomat and military leader.
• Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, a top diplomat for Queen Victoria.
• Sir Algernon Lyons, an Admiral of the Fleet.
• Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, a Union General in the American Civil War.
• Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, mother of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, is a descendant of the Lyons family.

Images for kids

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  Kilvrough Manor, a Lyons family home in Glamorgan

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  Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge

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  Arms of John Lyon (d. 1592)

See also

• The Lyons of Cossins and Wester Ogil: Cadets of Glamis by Andrew Ross, Marchmont Herald, which tells the story of the Lyon family in Scotland.