Show ContentsSummerton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Summerton family

The surname Summerton was first found in Norfolk where the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Somerton held by William de Noyers, a Norman Baron who held 33 manors from the King and who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. William de Noyers was descended from the Counts of Nevers in Normandy. [1]

More recently, Somerton is a parish in Oxfordshire, a market-town and parish in Somerset and a parish in Suffolk. East and West Somerton are still parishes in Norfolk.

As one would expect, the place names literally mean "farmstead used in summer," from the Old English words "sumor" + "tun." [2]

Some of the parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where they were listed as: Somertune [3]; Sumertone (Oxfordshire); and Summertone (Somerset.) And the Somerset parish dates back further to Saxon times when it was listed as Sumortun (901-924.) [2]

It is generally thought that the first record of the family was Lawrence Somerton, Somercote or Swinercote (fl. 1254), and English Canonist, born in the south of England. He was brother or kinsman of Cardinal Robert Somercote (died 1241), and became, like him, subdeacon to the pope. [4]

Early History of the Summerton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Summerton research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1177 and 1230 are included under the topic Early Summerton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Summerton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Somerton, Summerton, Somerton, Sumerton, Sumorton and many more.

Early Notables of the Summerton family

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


United States Summerton migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Summerton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Summerton, who arrived in Maryland in 1732
  • Hester Summerton, who arrived in Virginia in 1746

Australia Summerton migration to Australia +

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

Summerton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Gayton Summerton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [5]
  • Edward Summerton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [5]
  • Emily Summerton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [5]
  • George Summerton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [5]
  • Frederick Summerton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [5]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Summerton (post 1700) +

  • Jonathan Summerton (b. 1988), American race car driver
  • Michael Summerton (1943-2009), English actor and talent agent, one of the original Dalek operators in Doctor Who
  • Laura Summerton (b. 1983), maiden name of Laura Hodges, an Australian professional basketball player


  1. 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)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Page, William (ed), A History of the County of Norfolk. London: Victoria County History, 1906. Print
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SUCCESS 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Success.htm


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