The St. Leger family ( ; Latinized to De Sancto Leodegario) is an old Anglo-Irish family with Norman roots, that in some cases transformed into Sallinger or Sallenger. It is first recorded in England as lord of the manor of Ulcombe in Kent. John St. Leger (died 1441) of Ulcombe was Sheriff of Kent in 1430.
History
The surname of St. Leger is recorded in several forms. This surname is originally toponymic in origin, indicating that the individual was from a location that had been dedicated to St. Leger. The name ultimately derives from the pre-7th-century Old German personal name Leodegar, composed of the elements liutr (tribe), and gari (spear). St. Leger, a 7th-century martyr and bishop of Autun, contributed to the popularity of the name in France, while in Germany the name was connected with a different saint, Ludger, an 8th-century bishop of Münster.
The name is first recorded in the Cartulary of Battle Abbey (Kent) in the early 12th century and in Pipe Rolls 1192 (Hampshire). The surname was introduced into Ireland in the 12th century following the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, where it achieved considerable status. Early examples of the surname recording include Sir Anthony de Saint Leger, Knight of the Order of the Garter who brought Ireland under the Crown. He served as Viceroy of Ireland for five terms. A plaque dedicated to Sir Anthony Saint Leger can be found in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
William Ledger and Elizabeth May were married at St. Margarets, Westminster, London, on April 25, 1595. The first recorded spelling of the family name is possibly that of Adam Leger, which was dated 1279, in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, during the reign of Edward I of England.
Several generations of St. Legers fought in the Crusades. Jean St. Leger (1160–1216) 'lived mainly on his French lands in Normandy whilst his brother Wizo cared for the lands at Fairlight in Sussex. As a result of his feudal duties, he accompanied the French King Philip August on his conquest of Normandy, placed thus in a bad position, in reprisal the English King confiscated his English lands and arrested him on reconquering Normandy. Jean was held prisoner at Corfe Castle in Dorset for many years. The Barons revolt allowed the St. Leger family to offer ransom/release aided by the English Master Templar Roger St. Leger on 30 Aug 1216. Lord of Fairlight.' A Jean de St. Leger, accompanied Robert, Duke of Normandy on the First Crusade 1096. Geoffrey De St. Leger fought with Richard I of England in Palestine from 1186 to 1201 or 1202. He was present at the siege of Acre in 1187. Ralph St. Leger, Lord of Ulcombe also took part in the siege of Acre in 1187. His tomb still exists in Ulcombe Church. He returned to England around 1201. Either he or his son of the same name As his son carried the same name was a signatory to Magna Carta in 1215.
Another Jean St. Leger was a Benedictine and Abbot of the Abbey of St. Wandrille, France, during the 14th century. Bishop Thomas St. Leger 1240–1320 was the Archdeacon of Kells around 1275 and is said to have raised money for the Crusades.
In 1377, Thomas St. Leger, (the second son of Sir Ralph St.Leger, of Ulcombe), who resided at Otterden, became the owner of East Hall Manor in Murston. His daughter was Joane, who then married Henry Aucher, esquire of Newenden.
Sir Thomas Saint Leger was a Knight of the Order of the Bath and Ambassador to France. He along with Louis XI and others signed the treaty of Pecquigny, ending the Hundred Years War. He married Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter. Upon Edward IV of England's death in 1483, St. Leger was beheaded by Richard III of England. He and Anne, who had died giving birth to their only child, Anne St. Legers, are buried in The Roos Chapel, St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Their daughter married Sir George Manners, of the family of the Duke of Rutland. Their tomb (Sir George Manners) can be found in the Queen's private chapel in St. George's Chapel, Windsor.