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![Show Contents]() Aletham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Aletham familyThe surname Aletham was first found in Lancashire where one of the first record of the name was found in 1246 when Adam de Eluetham held estates in what is now known as Altham in Whalley in that shire. Eltham in Kent was an ancient family seat. "This place, in Domesday Book called Alteham, is supposed to have derived its name from the Saxon, Eald, old, and Ham, a dwelling. It formed part of the royal demesnes in the reign of Edward the Elder, by whom it was given to Odo, Archbishop of Canterbury; and at a very early period became a favourite retreat of the English kings." 1 A few years later, John of Eltham, 1st Earl of Cornwall (1316-1336) born at Eltham Palace, Kent, was the second son of king Edward II of England and his queen Isabella of France, heir to the English throne. "Edward II. resided here for some time, and at this place also his son was born, from this circumstance called John of Eltham, and the palace, erroneously, King John's Palace." 1 He was buried with full honors at Westminster Abbey in January 1337. Early History of the Aletham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aletham research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1498, 1530, 1557, 1570, 1607, 1612, 1617, 1661 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Aletham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Aletham Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Aletham include Altham, Aletham, Althem, Althum, Allthem, Alltham, Eltham and many more. Early Notables of the Aletham familyDistinguished members of the family include Agnes of Eltham (1498-1530), an English noblewoman who was an orphan and ward of Dartford Priory in Dartford, Kent who married Adam Langstroth, the head of a landed family in Yorkshire with 'a considerable dowry'.
Sir James Altham (d. 1617), was an English judge, descended from Christopher Altham of Girlington, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the third son of...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aletham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Aletham familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Emanuel Altham, who settled in Maine in 1624; Emmanuel Altham, who settled in America in 1638; Heinrich Altham, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748; John Altham, who settled in Maryland in 1633.
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: Pro Deo at Catholica fide
Motto Translation: For God and the Catholic faith.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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