{{notability|date=April 2026}}

James de Lostock was an historical figure and land owner in the 14th century, who is accredited to founding the modern day settlement of Lostock Hall, by inheriting 'Lostock's Hall', a manor located in the parish of Walton-le-Dale.^[2][3][4] The site of the original Hall eventually became the grounds of St Catherine's Hospice.^[5][1][6]

The surname 'de Lostock' refers to someone who resides on the River Lostock. Lostock could primarily be a settlement name (see Lostock Hall) and may,^[7] like other similar names in Lancashire,^[7] be derived from Old English hlōse-, meaning "a pig-sty",^[7] and -stoc, "a place, secondary settlement".^[7] The name could also be a Brittonic hydronym,^[7] derived from lost, chiefly (perhaps metaphorically) meaning "a tail" (Welsh llost).^[7] This is suffixed with the nominal suffix -ǭg.^[7] A derivative of the aforementioned lost, *lostǭg, perhaps meaning "a beaver" (though note Cornish lostek, "fox") could also underlie the name.^[7]

An earlier James de Lostock built the original Lostock Hall and resided there in 1212^[8][6] which was passed down to James de Lostock when he inherited the estate on the River Lostock in 1332.^[2][3] In 1268 Richard de Lostock was recorded as inhabiting a property referred to as the 'Cockersand estate', at a rent of 12d a year.^[2]

Roger de Lostock was known to have three daughters: Annora, Mabel and Almarica.^[2] in 1291, Annora along with Mabel claimed a tenement against Richard de Redvales.^[2] In 1292, Almarica and Mabel took part in a land dispute over the inheritance of their grandfather Robert and his widow Ellen,^[2] despite losing they made further claims in 1301 and 1321.^[2]

In 1332, Lostock paid 3s towards a subsidy levied on principle freeholders of the area.^[2][3] In 1334, James de Lostock, among others were accused by the Abbot of Evesham, William Chiriton that they had taken 100 acres of land from him.^[2][3] In 1347, Lostock complained that Robert de Langton the younger, his brother John, and others had taken by force a mill of his in Cuerden; the verdict was given against them.^[2][3] Following his death, his daughter Magote (otherwise Margery), inherited her father's lands, renamed it as 'Lostock Hall'^[1] and carried them into her marriage with the Banastre (Bannister) family, a wealthy Lancashire family who continued to inhabit the residence until the 15th century.^[2][3][1]

In 9 December 1369, Magery owed 100 marks to Henry de Walton with it being resolved on 24 June 1370.^[9]

[[Category:14th-century births]] [[Category:14th-century deaths]] [[Category:Year of birth missing]] [[Category:Year of death missing]]