The surname Atto was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1296 when John Atthow held estates in that county.
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Early History of the Atto family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atto research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Atto History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Atto Spelling Variations
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Atto include Athow, Athaw, Atthawes, Atthow, Athall, Athal and others.
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Early Notables of the Atto family
More information is included under the topic Early Atto Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Atto family
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Atto were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Brelt Athow, who came to New York in 1832; Mary Athow, who also arrived in New York in 1832; and Thomas Atthew, who was on record in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871..
England
