Lankester

Lankester is a surname of English origin. It is generally considered to be habitational or toponymic, derived from place-based naming practices in Britain. The name has been carried by several figures who contributed to science and public life, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable people with the surname include Sir Ray Lankester, a British zoologist who served as director of the Natural History Museum in London and who played a prominent role in the development of zoology and evolutionary theory in his era. Edwin Lankester, a physician and naturalist, is also associated with the name for his work in medicine, public health, and scientific education during the Victorian period.

Beyond these individuals, Lankester appears in genealogical records and biographical sources, with bearers historically concentrated in the United Kingdom and in regions and countries shaped by British emigration and influence. The surname may also be encountered in academic or archival contexts when discussing the scientific legacy of the era in which its notable figures were active.