Contents [hide]

Datson History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Datson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Datson was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Datson family lived in the North Riding of Yorkshire. They descended from the distinguished Norman family of Picot d'Auton, and it is from that local name, which means from Auton, that the surname derives. 1

Early Origins of the Datson family

The surname Datson was first found in Yorkshire. There are three parishes named Deighton in Yorkshire: the chapelry in the North Riding; the township in the East Riding; and the parish named Kirk Deighton in the West Riding. 2

All have the same meaning: "farmstead surrounded by a ditch," from the Old English "dic" + "tun." 3

All date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 but with very different spellings in use at that time: Dictune (North Riding); Distone (near York); and Distone (Kirk Deighton.) 4

The Dictune spelling had an impact on early rolls, Thomas and Henry de Dicton were found in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1204 and later in 1259. Richard de Dyghton was listed in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1327. 5

Some of the family were found in Scotland where the name as "local, probably from Dighton or Deighton in the North Riding of Yorkshire. John de Dychton, subdeacon of Urquhart, 1343." 6

Early History of the Datson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Datson research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1340 and 1419 are included under the topic Early Datson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Datson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Datson have been found, including Daton, Dayton, Deighton, Dauton and others.

Early Notables of the Datson family

More information is included under the topic Early Datson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Datson family to Ireland

Some of the Datson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Datson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Datson were among those contributors:

Datson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mrs. Bertha Datson, (b. 1871), aged 21, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 21st March 1892 en route to USA 7
Mr. Henry Datson, (b. 1867), aged 25, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 21st March 1892 7
Mr. Richard H Datson, (b. 1867), aged 31, Cornish stone cutter travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1898 en route to Boston, Massachusetts, USA 7
Mrs. Bertha J Datson, (b. 1872), aged 26, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1898 en route to Boston, Massachusetts, USA 7
Mr. Gordon Datson, (b. 1897), aged 11 months, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1898 en route to Boston, Massachusetts, USA 7

Datson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Richard Henry Datson, (b. 1867), aged 37, Cornish stonemason travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th May 1904 en route to Concord, New Hampshire, USA 7
Mr. Ernest Datson, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish tin polisher travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to California, USA 7

Datson migration to Australia +

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

Datson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Eliza Datson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 8
Hugh Datson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 8
Jane Datson, aged 36, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 8
James Datson, aged 10, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 8
Philippa Datson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Datson 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:

Datson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mary Ann Datson, aged 23, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 9
Ms. Mary Ann Datson, (b. 1840), aged 23, Cornish domestic servant departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 10
Mr. John Datson, (b. 1853), aged 22, Cornish farm labourer departing on 24th July 1875 aboard the ship "Himalaya" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 17th November 1874 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Datson (post 1700) +

Audrey Datson, American model

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ABOUKIR 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Aboukir.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf