Lambton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Lambton family

The surname Lambton was first found in Durham where there is a township named Lambton. "Lambton Hall formerly stood here, and was the residence of the Lambton family until the death of William Lambton, Esq., at the close of the eighteenth century." 1 The first on record was John Lambton, Lord of Lambton, who lived about 1150. His successor was Sir Robert Lambton, Lord of Lambton in 1314. 2

His direct descendent was Sir William Lambton, a Royalist, who was a cavalry officer in the service of Charles I and was slain at Marston Moor. Now known as Lambton, Tyne and Wear, it is home to the legend of the Lambton Worm, John Lambton, heir to the Lambton estate and his quest to vanquish the giant worm (dragon.) From this legend, a Lambton curse for three generations, a song written in 1867, and an opera named "The Lambton Worm" by Robert Johnson survive.

Early History of the Lambton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lambton research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1582, 1583, 1593, 1640, 1644, 1651, 1662, 1685, 1693, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1717 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Lambton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lambton Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Lambton include Lambton, Lampton, Lamton, Lambtone and others.

Early Notables of the Lambton family

Notables of the family at this time include

John Lambton (1505-1582)
Robert Lambton (died 1583)
Ralph Lambton (died 1593)
Colonel Sir William Lambton (died 1644), who fought in the Battle of Marston Moor on 2 July 1644
Colonel Sir Thomas Lambton (died 1662) Governor of Leeward Islands
Henry Lambton (died 1693)

Lambton 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:

Lambton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Lambton, aged 24, a miner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874
Janet Lambton, aged 50, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874
Jane Lambton, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Lambton (post 1700) +

John George Lambton (1792-1840), 1st Earl of Durham, English statesman best known for his report on Canada, which laid the basis for the country's Dominion status
Lady Anne Mary Gabrielle Lambton (b. 1954), British actress, younger daughter of Antony Lambton (formerly 6th Earl of Durham)
Edward Richard "Ned" Lambton (b. 1961), 7th Earl of Durham, British peer and musician, only son of the 6th Earl
Antony Claud Frederick Lambton (1922-2006), 6th Earl of Durham, British peer and politician, Member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed (1951-1973), 2nd son of the 5th Earl
John Lambton (1920-1941), styled Viscount Lambton, British peer, died without issue
John Frederick Lambton (1884-1970), 5th Earl of Durham, British peer, eldest son of the 4th Earl
Frederick William Lambton (1855-1929), 4th Earl of Durham, British peer and politician, second son of the 2nd Earl and younger twin brother of the 3rd Earl
John George Lambton (1855-1928), 3rd Earl of Durham, British peer, Lord Lieutenant of Durham (1884–1928), Chancellor of the University of Durham (1919–1928), eldest son of the 2nd Earl, died without issue
George Frederick d'Arcy Lambton (1828-1879), 2nd Earl of Durham, British peer, Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham (1854-1879), only son surviving of the 1st Earl
Lieutenant-Colonel William Lambton FRS (1753-1823), British soldier, surveyor, and geographer; he began a triangulation survey in 1800-1802 that was later called the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.