[Illustration] A family of great antiquity, said to have migrated
from the Low Countries, and to have received a grant of land called
"Lechmere's Field," in Hanley, from William the Conqueror. The first
in the pedigree is Reginald de Lechm'e de Hanlee, mentioned in a
deed without date. He was father of Adam de Lechmere, who married
Isabella, and was the ancestor of this venerable house, whose
ancient seat at Severn-End, in Hanley, with the exception of a
period of thirty years, has ever since remained in the family.
During the civil wars the Lechmeres were on the side of the
Parliament. A second son, who died without issue in 1727, was raised
to the Peerage in 1721.
Younger Branches. Lechmere of Steeple-Aston, in the county of
Oxford, and Lechmere of Fanhope, in the county of Hereford; also the
Lechmeres (called Patteshalls) of Allensmore, in the same county;
the two last being descended from Sandys, second son of Sir Nicholas
Lechmere, the Judge, who died in 1701.
See Nash's Worcestershire, vol. i. p. 563.
ARMS.--_Gules, a fess and in chief two pelicans or, vulning
themselves proper_.
Present Representative, Sir Edmund Anthony Harley Lechmere, 3rd
Baronet.