Lance
A surname from the word for a spear or light cavalry weapon, likely first given to a soldier or to someone associated with such arms.
The #2,747 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 23,529 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname comes from the common noun "lance," meaning a spear or light cavalry weapon. The word entered English through Old French, ultimately from Latin "hasta" or related Romance forms used for a spear. As a surname, it was probably first applied to a soldier, especially one armed with a lance, or to someone identified by that weapon.
History
19th-century surname writers noted English surnames formed from weapons and military equipment, and "Lance" fits that pattern well. Lower explicitly treats it as a name meaning a soldier armed with that weapon, and he also notes compounds such as Shakelance and Bruselance. The surname is not especially common, but it has persisted in English-speaking countries and can also appear as part of longer medieval-style compound surnames.
Origin
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Fun fact
Early surname scholars grouped Lance with names like Sword, Glaive, and Breakspear, all derived from weapons or fighting terms.
From the historical record
“cashire. LANCE. A soldier armed with that weapon. In early times there was a regular force of light horsemen called from their offensive arms demi-lances. Some com- pounds occur as surnames ; e.g. Shakelance, Bruselance, &c. LANCELIN. An A. -Norm, personal name. LANCHENICK. There are so many places in Cornwall…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom