Hamilton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Hamilton

What does the name Hamilton mean?

The Hamilton family name, was a Norman name that came to Scotland from England. It is thought to derive from the village of Hamilton or Hameldune near Barkby in the county of Leicestershire. The village name comes from the Old English elements "hamel," which means "blunt," "flat-topped," or "crooked," and "dun," which means hill. There is a town of Hamilton near Glasgow, which took its name from the family, but may in turn have spawned more instances of the surname.

Hamilton Coat of Arms Creation

It will be noticed that many Hamiltons have as crests an oak tree rising penetrated transversely by a frame saw. The motto is " Through."

The story is that the first Hamilton, a Sir Gilbert was obliged to fly from the Court of Edward II. in 1323 for slaying a John Despencer. He was closely pursued, and Hamilton and his servant changed clothes with two woodcutters, and, taking the saw of the workmen, were in the act of cutting an oak tree when their pursuers passed. The servant took notice of them, and Sir Gilbert called out " Through," and thus the Hamiltons got their crest and motto. 1

Early Origins of the Hamilton family

The surname Hamilton was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland, where they were granted lands by King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.

The Clan traces its origin to the Earls of Mellent in Normandy who arrived in Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066 AD. They were granted lands in Hambleton in Buckinghamshire. Soon after, Sir William de Hambleton accepted a challenge from John de Spence. Spence was killed, drawing the wrath of King Edward II of England. Sir William fled northwards with his entourage to Scotland, hotly pursued by the king's men. With their pursuers close behind them, Sir William and his servant exchanged clothes with two wood cutters and, using their saw, they cut down a large oak tree to bridge a river. Finally, when at last the tree fell, Sir William cried 'through' and they escaped across the river over the tree. The Clan Hamilton has retained this motto since that eventful day.

Early History of the Hamilton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hamilton research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1282, 1296, 1307, 1333, 1392, 1495, 1504, 1520, 1528, 1563, 1575, 1580, 1600, 1604, 1607, 1610, 1623, 1626, 1633, 1636, 1637, 1640, 1646, 1650, 1655, 1658, 1659, 1663, 1666, 1668, 1669, 1670, 1674, 1679, 1685, 1701, 1706, 1707, 1715, 1719, 1720, 1721, 1734 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hamilton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hamilton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hamilton, Hamelton, Hameldon, Hamildon, Hamylton, Hambleton and many more.

Early Notables of the Hamilton family

Sir Patrick Hamilton (d. 1520), a Scottish nobleman, and younger brother of aforementioned James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
Patrick Hamilton (c.1504-1528), Scottish Protestant martyr, charged with heresy, sentenced by Archbishop Beaton, and burned at the stake in 1528
Thomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of Haddington (1563-1637), Scottish administrator, Lord Advocate, judge, and Lord Lieutenant of Haddingtonshire
Patrick Hamilton (c. 1575-1658), a minister of The Church of Scotland during a turbulent period in Scotland's history, also a poet
Archibald Hamilton (1580-1659), the fourth Anglican Archbishop of Cashel, nominated Bishop of Killala and Achonry in 1623 and consecrated that year
Thomas Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Haddington (1600-1640), a Scottish nobleman
John Hamilton, 4th Earl of Haddington (1626-1669), a Scottish nobleman
Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Haddington (1650-1685), a Scottish nobleman
James Hamilton (1610-1674), Bishop of Galloway
James Hamilton, 3rd Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane (1633-1655), an Irish peer
James Hamilton (died 1666), a Scottish minister active in Ireland, ministering to the Ulster Scots
Sir Robert Hamilton (1650-1701), 2nd Baronet of Preston, one of the leaders of the Scottish Covenanters
Lord William Hamilton (c. 1706-1734), was a Scottish Member of Parliament for Lanarkshire in 1734

Hamilton World Ranking

the United States, the name Hamilton is the 103^rd most popular surname with an estimated 203,934 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Hamilton is ranked the 88^th most popular surname with an estimated 29,834 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Hamilton is the 871^st popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Hamilton as 729^th with 59 people. 5 Australia ranks Hamilton as 104^th with 25,498 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Hamilton as 122^nd with 3,683 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Hamilton as 113^rd with 43,260 people. 8

Migration of the Hamilton family to Ireland

Some of the Hamilton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 160 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hamilton migration to the United States +

Hamilton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

David Hamilton, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1651 10
James Hamilton, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1651 10
John Hamilton, who landed in Maryland in 1652 10
Danl Hamilton, who landed in Virginia in 1652 10
Andrew Hamilton (c. 1676-1741), was an early colonial lawyer (Scottish born), who became attorney general of Pennsylvania (1717)
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hugh Hamilton, who landed in Virginia in 1705 10
Cath Hamilton, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 10
George Hamilton, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 10
Alexander Hamilton, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 10
Bell Hamilton, who landed in Maryland in 1747 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Hamilton, who arrived in America in 1805 10
Conway Hamilton, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
Daniel Hamilton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 10
Edward Hamilton, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 10
Elizabeth Hamilton, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

August Hamilton, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 10

Hamilton migration to Canada +

Hamilton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Hamilton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. George Hamilton U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 11
Mr. Gorham Hamilton U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
Mr. James Hamilton U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
Mr. John Hamilton U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

David Hamilton, who arrived in Canada in 1820
Elenor Donovan Hamilton, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1825
James Hamilton, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
Eliza Hamilton, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
Thomas Hamilton, aged 65, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, (Hambleton), (d. 1808), British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. John Hamilton, British settler convicted in Durham, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. Thomas Hamilton, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Third Fleet

Miss Maria Hamilton, (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 19th October 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10

Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Hamilton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elinor Hamilton, (Goff), (b. 1782), aged 31, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Ann Hamilton, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Job Hamilton, Canadian covict who was convicted in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Ann Hamilton, Irish country servant who was convicted in Antrim, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 21st March 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia then transported on to Tasmania per "Elizabeth Henrietta" 15
Mr. James Hamilton, (b. 1800), aged 20, English clerk who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for fraud, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1838 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hamilton 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:

Hamilton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Hamilton, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Delhi" arriving in Bay of Islands, New Zealand on 16th August 1840 17
Child Hamilton, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Delhi" arriving in Bay of Islands, New Zealand on 16th August 1840 17
William Hamilton, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
F Hamilton, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Barque Tuscan
William Hamilton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship London
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hamilton (post 1700) +

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1757), American Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, the first United States Secretary of the Treasury
Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton M.B.E., HonFREng (b. 1985), English Formula One Racing Driver, World Champion winner in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. BBC Sports Personality of the year in 2014 and 2020. He was knighted in 2021
Lynn Hamilton (1930-2025), born Alzenia Lynn Hamilton, an American actress, best known for her recurring roles as Donna Harris on the sitcom Sanford and Son (1972-1977) and Verdie Grant Foster on The Waltons (1973-1981)
Margaret Hamilton (1902-1985), American film actress and former schoolteacher, best known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz
Richard Streit Hamilton (1943-2024), American mathematician awarded the Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research in 2009
Suzy Favor Hamilton (b. 1968), née Favor, American middle-distance runner
Saskia Hamilton (1967-2023), born Maria Saskia Hamilton, an American poet, editor, and professor and university administrator at Barnard College who published four collections of poetry, with a fifth, posthumous collection, All Souls, to be published in October 202
Ronald Allen "Ron" Hamilton (1950-2023), known as "Patch the Pirate," an American Christian singer, songwriter, composer, preacher, voice actor, and personality, president and owner of Majesty Music
Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Hamilton (1966-2023), American bronze medalist speed skier at the 1992 Winter Olympics
... (Another 306 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hamilton family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. James Alfred Hamilton (d. 1914), British Bell Boy from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18
Mr. Frank William Hamilton (d. 1914), British Ticket Agent from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Roy Harry Hamilton (1955-1989), English railway technician who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 19
Mr. S G Hamilton (b. 1911), English Lieutenant Surgeon from Cambridge, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Thomas Patrick Hamilton (1894-1917), British Acting Leading Stoker from London, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917
... (Another 12 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Hamilton 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: Through

Sources +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html