Contents [hide]

Campion History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Campion History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Belgium
England-Alt
England
Ireland
Scotland

Campion is one of the many new names that came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Campion is for a professional champion. In the Middle Ages a common manner of settling disputes was through trial by combat. Thus, proficient fighters would sell their services to represent parties involved in such cases by fighting on their behalf. The word derives from the Anglo Norman French word, campion, of the same meaning. 1

We found this interesting passage that explores the "champion" aspect in more detail: "In the ordeal by battle, in criminal cases, the accuser and the accused took the field themselves, but in disputes about the ownership of land, the actual parties to the suit were represented by 'champions', in theory their free tenants, but in practice, hired men, professional champions, and very well paid. In 1294 the Dean and Chapter of Southwell incurred a prospective liability of about £750 in modern money in hiring a champion to fight a duel to settle a law-suit about the advowson of a church. A pugil or champion was a regular member of the household of more than one medieval bishop, Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford (1275-1282), paying his champion, Thomas de Bruges, a salary of half a mark a year." 2

Early Origins of the Campion family

The surname Campion was first found in Hampshire where Herbert Campion was listed at Winton in 1148. A few years later, Geoffrey Champiun was found in Northumberland 1154-1169 and later again, Roger le Campion was found in the Pipe Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1197. In Suffolk, William le Champion was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1220. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include Beatrix le Campiun, Cambridgeshire; John Campiown, Huntingdonshire; and Walter le Campion, Buckinghamshire were listed as holding lands at that time. A few years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Simon Campion and Ricardus Campion. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, Nicholas Champion of Berwick rendered homage to King Edward I in 1291, and again as Nicol Campyon of Berwickshire in 1296. 4

Early History of the Campion family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Campion research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1291, 1296, 1540, 1569, 1578, 1581, 1590, 1595, 1599, 1602, 1607, 1608, 1610, 1613, 1619, 1624, 1640, 1659, 1665, 1689, 1698, 1701 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Campion History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Campion Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Campion, Champion and others.

Early Notables of the Campion family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Edmund Campion (1540-1581), English Jesuit, son of a citizen and bookseller of London. During his illustrious career, he mingled with royalty many times but is most famous for his book The History of...
William Campion alias Wigmore (1599-1665), was another Jesuit, "a native of Herefordshire, entered the Society of Jesus at Watten, near St. Omer, in 1624, and became a professed father in 1640. " (NBi...
Thomas Campion (d. 1619), was an early "physician, poet, and musician, was probably the second son of Thomas Campion of Witham, Essex, gent., by Anastace, daughter of John Spittey of Chelmsford, and w...
William Campion (1640-1702), was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Seaford in 1689 and (1698-1701) and Kent (1701-1702.)

Campion Ranking

In the United States, the name Campion is the 8,666^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 However, in France, the name Campion is ranked the 1,432^nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,018 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Campion family to Ireland

Some of the Campion family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Campion migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Campion or a variant listed above:

Campion Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Campion, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 7
Jean Campion who settled in Virginia in 1621 with his wife and four children, and his brother Philip and his wife and one child
Richard Campion, who landed in Virginia in 1622 7
William Campion, who landed in Virginia in 1658 7
William Campion, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 7

Campion Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Robert Campion, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 7
German Campion, aged 29, who landed in Virginia in 1773 7

Campion Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Catharine Campion, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836 7
Bridget Campion, aged 35, who landed in New York in 1854 7
Bridget Campion, who arrived in New York in 1854
Alice Campion, aged 3, who arrived in New York in 1862 7
James Campion, aged 7, who arrived in New York in 1862 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campion Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Henry Campion, (b. 1903), aged Infant, Cornish settler, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd August 1903 en route to Middletown, Connecticut, USA 8
Miss Lillie Campion, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish settler, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd August 1903 en route to Middletown, Connecticut, USA 8
Mr. Stephen Campion, (b. 1901), aged 2, Cornish settler, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd August 1903 en route to Middletown, Connecticut, USA 8
A. Campion, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1906
Anna Campion, aged 25, who landed in America from Freshford, Ireland, in 1909
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campion migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Campion Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Mr. Pierre Campion, (b. 1613), aged 30, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 6th April 1643 9

Campion Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Arthur G. Campion, who settled in Ontario in 1871

Campion Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Adelaide E. Campion, aged 62, who immigrated to Belleville, Ontario, Canada in 1911

Campion migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Campion Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Campion, (b. 1829), aged 23, English agricultural labourer who was convicted in Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 9th Mary 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 10
Ellen Campion, aged 27, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lismoyne"
James Campion, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nimroud"
Patrick Campion, aged 44, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Navarino" 11
Catherine Campion, aged 15, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Navarino" 11

Campion migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Campion Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Maria Campion, (b. 1855), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 12
Mr. George Emblen Campion, (b. 1829), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 12
Mrs. Anne Hannah Campion, (b. 1833), aged 23, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 12
Mr. John Campion, (b. 1855), aged 1, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 12
E.J. Campion, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1861
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campion migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 13

Campion Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

William Campion, who settled in Barbados with his wife and servants in 1680
Camberlin Campion, who settled in Barbados in 1680
Cornelius Campion, aged 27, who landed in Jamaica in 1684 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Campion (post 1700) +

Jane Campion (b. 1954), New Zealand film director who has over 101 awards including two Academy Award, three BAFTA Film Awards, three Critic's Choice Awards, tow Golden Globe Awards
John Joseph Campion (1963-2020), Irish-born, American entrepreneur who founded Showpower, Inc., a California company that provided portable generators for comcerts
Washington Lee Campion, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from West Virginia 2nd District, 1946 14
Thomas H. Campion, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for New York, 1900 14
John P. Campion, American politician, Warden (borough president) of Unionville, Connecticut, 1926 14
James W. Campion, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Hanover, 1938; Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Hanover, 1956 14
James Campion Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Hanover, 1956 14
James Campion, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Schuylkill County Democratic Party, 1927; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1928 14
Emmett Campion, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1952 14
Charles Robert Campion (1951-2020), English food critic who wrote for The Times, The Independent, and the Evening Standard
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
South Australian Register. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Navarino 1857. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/navarino1857.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html