De Lancey family

The De Lancey family was a French-origin Huguenot family that became prominent in colonial North America and Britain. Its genealogy was associated with a cadet branch of the House of Lancy, a noble French lineage whose status was recognized in the seventeenth century after claims of older noble origins had been documented. The family’s transatlantic history was shaped by religious persecution, migration, commercial success, public office, and political allegiance during the American Revolution. The family’s early recorded line included Guy de Lancy, identified as the first viscount of Laval and Nouvion in the fifteenth century. A later descendant, Jacques de Lancy, converted to Protestantism. His grandson Étienne left France for London after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, an event that intensified pressure on French Protestants. In England he obtained denization in 1686, swore allegiance to James II, and adopted the Anglicized form of his name, Stephen de Lancey. He subsequently crossed the Atlantic and arrived in New York in June 1686, where he obtained colonial denization the following month. Stephen de Lancey established himself as a successful merchant and married into the influential Van Cortlandt family. His social connections and commercial position helped place the De Lanceys among the leading families of the Province of New York. His eldest surviving son, James De Lancey, pursued a public career and became chief justice of New York before serving as lieutenant-governor of the province. Through James and other relatives, the family exercised considerable influence in colonial legal, political, and social affairs. The American Revolution produced a decisive break in the family’s North American position. The De Lanceys supported the British Crown and helped raise Loyalist military units. After the British defeat and the end of the conflict in 1783, their estates were confiscated under revolutionary authority. Many family members left the United States and settled in Britain or Canada, while branches of the family entered British military and public life. The family therefore became an example of how the Revolution displaced established Loyalist elites and redistributed property and political influence. Not every member remained permanently abroad. John Peter De Lancey, a son of James De Lancey, resigned his British Army commission and returned to New York in 1789, motivated by attachment to his birthplace. Another notable descendant, William H. DeLancey, held senior academic and ecclesiastical positions in the United States. He served as provost of the University of Pennsylvania and later became the first Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. The De Lancey family is consequently best understood as a historical lineage rather than a commercial brand or operating organization. Its significance lies in the movement of a Huguenot family from France to Britain and colonial New York, its integration into the colonial elite, its Loyalist role during the Revolution, and the subsequent dispersion of its branches across Britain, Canada, and the United States.

The De Lancey family traced its origins to a French noble lineage associated with the House of Lancy. The family tradition identified Guy de Lancy as a fifteenth-century viscount of Laval and Nouvion. A later descendant, Jacques de Lancy, adopted Protestantism, establishing the religious background of the branch that eventually became prominent in the English-speaking Atlantic world. Étienne, Jacques’s grandson, fled to London after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. In London he obtained denization on March 11, 1686, after swearing allegiance to James II and becoming a British subject. He later sailed for New York, arriving on June 7, 1686, and received colonial denization on July 7. In New York he used the Anglicized name Stephen de Lancey, built a successful merchant business, and married into the Van Cortlandt family. He also participated in the provincial assembly, helping establish the family as part of the colony’s governing elite. Stephen’s eldest surviving son, James De Lancey, expanded the family’s influence through public office. He became chief justice of New York and later lieutenant-governor of the province. During the colonial period, the De Lanceys were among New York’s most prominent political families, with influence based on officeholding, property, commerce, and marriage alliances. The Revolution transformed the family’s fortunes. The De Lanceys supported the Loyalist cause and raised units of troops for the British side. Following the British defeat in 1783, revolutionary authorities confiscated their estates. Much of the family left the United States, with members relocating to Britain and Canada. The line descended from Oliver de Lancey, Stephen’s youngest son, became associated with Britain, and several descendants achieved distinction as British Army officers. John Peter De Lancey, the son of James De Lancey, represented a different course. Although he had served in the British Army, he resigned his commission and returned to New York in 1789 because he wished to live again in his native country. Later generations retained public prominence in the United States. William H. DeLancey served as provost of the University of Pennsylvania and subsequently became the first Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. The family’s historical importance rests on its role in the migration of French Huguenots, the formation of colonial New York’s elite, the Loyalist experience of the American Revolution, and the movement of post-Revolutionary families between the United States, Britain, and Canada.

• 1789

  John Peter De Lancey returns to New York

  [1]De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org

  John Peter De Lancey resigned his British Army commission and returned to New York.

• 1783

  Loyalist estates confiscated after the American Revolution

  [1]De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org

  Because the family supported the Crown and raised Loyalist troops, its estates were confiscated after the British defeat.

• 1686

  Stephen de Lancey settles in New York

  [1]De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org

  After receiving denization in Britain, he arrived in New York, obtained colonial denization, and began his career as a merchant and public figure.

• 1685

  Étienne leaves France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes

  [1]De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org

  Religious persecution prompted Étienne, a Protestant descendant of Jacques de Lancy, to flee France for London.

• 1432

  Guy de Lancy recorded as viscount

  [1]De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org

  Guy de Lancy was identified as the first viscount of Laval and Nouvion in the family’s early genealogical history.

A historical aristocratic and colonial family lineage, not a commercial product brand.

• 1789

  John Peter De Lancey chooses to return to New YorkStrategy

  Background

  Following the family’s displacement after the Revolution, John Peter De Lancey retained a strong attachment to his birthplace.

  Action taken

  He resigned his British Army commission and returned to New York.

  Aftermath

  His decision created a continuing family connection with the United States despite the broader Loyalist migration.

  Source

• 1775

  Support for the Loyalist causeStrategy

  Background

  During the American Revolution, the De Lanceys aligned themselves with the British Crown rather than the revolutionary movement.

  Action taken

  Members of the family raised units of Loyalist troops and maintained their allegiance to Britain.

  Aftermath

  After the war, the family’s estates were confiscated and many members were exiled or relocated to Britain and Canada.

  Source

1. 1De Lancey familyen.wikipedia.org