First found in Berkshire, where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name London or a variant listed above: John London who settled in Virginia in 1636; Humphrey London settled in Virginia in 1639; Richard London settled in New England in 1654; Alice London settled in Barbados in 1665.

For more information on the last name London, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.