Show ContentsShillington History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Shillington family

The surname Shillington was first found in Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Shilston, held by Richard and Osbern from the Count of Mortain, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Shillington family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shillington research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1567 is included under the topic Early Shillington History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shillington Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Shilston, Shilson, Shillingston, Shillson, Sheilson, Shillston, Chilson, Chilston, Chillson and many more.

Early Notables of the Shillington family

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


United States Shillington migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

  • Evelyn Shillington, aged 23, settler from Canada who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Pennland" 2
Shillington Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Shillington, aged 21, settler from Ireland who arrived in New York aboard the ship "John Bolton" in 1839 2
  • Joseph Shillington, aged 20, settler from Ireland who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oxford" in 1842 2
  • John Shillington, aged 20, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Bayen Brothers" in 1850 2
  • Jane Shillington, aged 2, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "St George" in 1852 2
  • Mary Shillington, aged 3, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "St George" in 1852 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Shillington Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • A. T. Shillington, aged 32, Canada settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Campania" in 1903 2

Australia Shillington migration to Australia +

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

Shillington Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Shillington, from London who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Malwa" in 1914 3
  • Mrs. Shillington, from London who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Malwa" in 1914 3
  • Florence E. Shillington, from South Africa who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Runic" in 1927 3
  • John Arvell Shillington, from South Africa who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Runic" in 1927 3
  • Mrs. Ellen Shillington, from London who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Chitral" in 1928 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Shillington 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:

Shillington Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Eva Shillington, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Triumph" in 1883

Contemporary Notables of the name Shillington (post 1700) +

  • Kevin Shillington, Irish-born, English teacher and a freelance historian based in Dorset, England
  • Robert Taylor Shillington (1867-1934), Canadian politician, mine owner, druggist and ice hockey executive from Merivale, Ontario
  • Clare Mary Alice Shillington (b. 1981), Irish former cricketer and the current coach of Typhoons
  • Sydney James Shillington (1874-1931), Australian politician, Member for Petersham (1919–1920), Member for Western Suburbs (1920–1922)
  • Wayne Shillington (b. 1966), Australian swimmer who competed in the men's 1500 metre freestyle at the 1984 Summer Olympics
  • Stan Shillington (b. 1935), Canadian former lacrosse historian, sportswriter and statistician, inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a builder in 1977
  • Sir Robert Edward Graham Shillington CBE (1911-2001), senior Northern Irish police officer, Chief Constable of Royal Ulster Constabulary from 1970 to 1973
  • Edward Shillington (1835-1920), Irish-born, New Zealand librarian, born in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland
  • Edward Blaine "Ned" Shillington (b. 1944), Canadian lawyer, consultant and politician, Saskatchewan Cabinet Minister and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
  • Major David Graham Shillington PC (1872-1944), Ulster Unionist politician, Minister of Labour (1937–1938)
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx


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