Show ContentsRitton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ritton family

The surname Ritton was first found in Lancashire at Rishton, a township, in the parish and union of Blackburn, Lower division of the hundred of Blackburn. "Henry, grandson of Henry de Blackburn, took the name of Rishton or Rushton." [1]

There are also villages name Rushton in Cheshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire. The latter two date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where they were listed as Risetone. [2]

"The Risctún of a charter, A.D. 854, by Æþelwulf, king of the West Saxons, refers to Ruishton, Somerset." [3]

Ritton Castle was located in Snailbeach, Shropshire, but is now listed as one of the deserted villages and lost places. We do know that is was a Hill Fort in Worthen with Shelve, to west of the Stiperstones Ridge, about 1 hectare in area.

Later in Northumberland, Robert de Riston was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1203. Later again, John de Russheton was listed at Crowland, Lincolnshire in 1340 and John Russheton was listed in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire (1433-1434.) [4]

Early History of the Ritton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ritton research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1403, 1407, 1413, 1550, 1578, 1581, 1584, 1585, 1586, 1602, 1647, 1662, 1664 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Ritton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ritton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rishton, Rischton, Rishtone, Richton and others.

Early Notables of the Ritton family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Mary Ritton (1578-1647), was an English courtier


United States Ritton migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ritton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacques Ritton, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "La Touraine" from Le Havre, France [5]
Ritton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Ritton, aged 49, originally from London, who arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Oceanic" from Liverpool, England [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Ritton (post 1700) +

  • Milo Ritton, American entrepreneur who owned the Denis Theatre, a historic movie theater in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania (2004-2007)


The Ritton 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: Reviresco
Motto Translation: I flourish again.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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