Contents [hide]

Latham History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Latham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Latham first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Latham in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in Lathom in Lancashire and Laytham in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The place-name Latham was originally derived from the Old Norse word hlathum, which is the plural form of hlath, which means a barn. Therefore the original bearers of the Latham surname were dwellers at the barns. 1 2

Early Origins of the Latham family

The surname Latham was first found in Lancashire at Lathom, a village and civil parish about 5 km northeast of Ormskirk. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Latune 3 and later as Lathum in 1200, and Lathom in 1223. One of the earliest records of the name was Robert Fitzhenry de Lathom who held lands throughout south Lancashire in 1189. The lands were "bestowed by Robert de Lathom upon the newly-founded priory of Burscough in 1189." 4

Presumably one of his descendants, Robert de Lathom in 1292 was sued by Richard, son of John de Burscough concerning a tenement in Burscough, but the case was non-suited." 4

"This place was the seat of the Lathom family, of whom Robert de Lathom, in the reign of Edward I., received the grant of a weekly market and an annual fair, and whose baronial mansion of Lathom House, remarkable for its extent and magnificence, and formidable for its strength, afterwards became so conspicuous in history. " 5

At Whiston in the parish of Prescot, "in the reign of Richard II. the Lathoms had estates here, which descended through several generations; and the Torbocks, of whom the Lathoms were a branch, were, at a very remote period, possessed of Rudgate, in this manor." 5

The parish of Huyton was another ancient family seat. "The Lathoms were early proprietors, being mentioned in the reign of Henry III. The original church was of considerable antiquity, having been granted to the priory of Burscough, at the time of its foundation, by the first (aforementioned) Robert de Lathom." 5

Early History of the Latham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Latham research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1610, 1677 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Latham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Latham Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Latham has appeared include Latham, Lathem, Lathom and others.

Early Notables of the Latham family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Frances Latham (1610 - 1677), English settler to America from Kempston, Bedfordshire, a colonial American woman who settled in Rhode Island, hnown as "the mother of governors...

Latham Ranking

In the United States, the name Latham is the 1,256^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 6 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Latham is ranked the 692^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,632 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Latham family to Ireland

Some of the Latham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Latham migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Latham arrived in North America very early:

Latham Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Latham, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 8
William Latham, (1609-1648), who settled in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620 after arriving on the "Mayflower" 8
Carey Latham settled, who settled in New London Connecticut in 1630
Jane Latham, who landed in Virginia in 1651 8
William Latham, who landed in Virginia in 1653 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Latham Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Latham, who settled in Virginia in 1735

Latham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Latham, who arrived in Maryland in 1802 8
Hugh Latham, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 8
Elias Latham, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 8
Henry Latham, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 8
Nathaniel Latham, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Latham migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Latham Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Latham, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Jane Latham, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Latham migration to Australia +

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

Latham Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

George Latham, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Miss Mary Latham, (b. 1812), aged 18, English servant who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl of Liverpool" in December 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. James Latham, (b. 1805), aged 33, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Miss Mary Latham, (Evans), (b. 1822), aged 21, English house maid who was convicted in Knutsford (Nether Knutsford), Cheshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Peter Latham, English convict from Gloucester, who was transported aboard the "Agincourt" on July 6, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Latham 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:

Latham Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Latham, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
John Latham, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1843
Mr. Henry Latham, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 31st August 1852 13
T. Latham, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1860
William Latham, aged 40, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waipa" in 1876
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Latham (post 1700) +

Aaron Latham (1943-2022), American journalist who wrote the article that inspired the movie Urban Cowboy and co-wrote its script with director James Bridges
Woodville Latham (1837-1911), American Major with the Confederacy during the American Civil War, and professor of chemistry at University of West Virginia
John Cridland Latham (1888-1975), United States Army soldier awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I
Milton Slocum Latham (1827-1882), American Governor of California (for five days) and United States Senator
Tom Latham (b. 1948), American politician, member of the US House of Representatives for Iowa (1994-)
Robert Gordon Latham (1812-1888), English ethnologist and philologist
Mrs. Nicola Jane Latham B.E.M., Development Director for UCAN Productions, was appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Blind and to Partially Sighted Young People in Wales 14
John Latham (1740-1837), English physician, naturalist and author, the "grandfather" of Australian ornithology
Sir Michael Anthony Latham DL HonFREng (1942-2017), British Conservative Member of Parliament for Melton (1974-1983) and for Rutland and Melton from 1983 to 1992
Sir John Latham KBE (1877-1964), Australian judge and politician, fifth Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Latham family +

Halifax Explosion

Miss Lollie Latham (1908-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Master William Latham Jr. (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Miss Amy Mildred Latham (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mrs. Matilda Latham (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mr. William H. Latham, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Repulse

Mr. Alec T Latham, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 16

RMS Lusitania

Mr. George Latham, English Second Electrician from New Brighton, Cheshire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 17

The Latham Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Aequanimitate
Motto Translation: Equanimity

Citations +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-of-liverpool
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 31st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Agincourt voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1844 with 226 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agincourt/1844
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/