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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2010

Origin Displayed: English

Where did the English Uptain family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Uptain family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The illustrious surname Uptain finds its origin in the rocky, seaswept coastal area of southwestern England known as Cornwall. Although surnames were fairly widespread in medieval England, people were originally known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted is extremely interesting. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Lords and their tenants often became known by the name of the feudal territory they owned or lived on. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded placenames. The name Uptain is a local type of surname and the Uptain family lived in Cornwall, in the village of Upton.

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Upton, Uppeton and others.

First found in Cornwall where they held a family seat from very ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

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More about the Uptain History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:





  • Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
  • Known spelling variations
  • Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
  • Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
  • First settlers to North America
  • Notable contemporary bearers of the name
  • A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Uptain: John Upton settled in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Upton settled in Georgia with his wife in 1680; Martha Upton settled in Virginia in 1700; Elizabeth Upton and her husband settled in Carolina in 1724.

Motto Translated: Always prepared.

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


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Uptain family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Uptain coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Uptain genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Uptain Family Crest Products


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Coat of Arms for the name Uptain.
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Family Crest for the name Uptain.
Family Tree revealing the Uptain family crest.
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New Products proudly displaying the Uptain coat of arms.
Packages displaying the Uptain family crest.
Plaques and Frames for the Uptain family crest.
Surname Histories for the name Uptain.
Symbolism emphasing the family crest for the name Uptain.
Travel Mugs revealing the family crest for the surname Uptain.
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The Uptain Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Uptain Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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