Grassy landscapes have been popular throughout history. The use of the word 'lawn' dates back to the mid-16th century and referred to the open space among trees (not necessarily grass though). In 1676 Moses Cook suggested in his book 'The manner of raising, ordering, and improving forrest-trees also, how to plant, make and keep woods, walks, avenues, lawns, hedges...' an expanse of one acre around the home be reserved for grassy space.

In the 18th century 'The Gardener's Kalender' was one of the first sources to use the word 'lawn' to mean an area of grass laid down by design. It includes advice on weeding, edging, rolling, and mowing.

By the 19th century the concept of grass plats was well established. In 1892, the book 'The Formation of Lawns, Tennis and Cricket Grounds from Seed' gave detailed description of turf grass species and methods of professional level of maintenance for swards as a playing surface.

American lawns have their root in traditional village greens. Space for lawns was limited so a shared common area was established. Village greens were popular in the US and Europe since at least the 15th century and was a space for middle class people. Around the 17th century British garden lawns became a symbol of wealth. Many plantations in the American South modeled their lawns after these.

James B Beard explains in his book 'Turfgrass history and literature : lawns, sports and golf' that in the 19th century middle class Americans used the land around their homes primarily for growing food and raising animals. This led to dusty or muddy land surrounding the home. To combat this grass was sown, but this had it's own problems, specifically pests and allergens. So semi-annual cuttings with a scythe were utilized. This was the evolution of the poor man's lawn which eventually led to the concept of the American lawn.

*edit: updated 'The Gardener's Kalender' with a full text link