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Champion History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Champion History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Belgium
England-Alt
England
Scotland

Champion is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a champion. In the Middle Ages, a common way of settling disputes was through trial by combat. Thus, proficient fighters would sell their services to represent parties involved in such cases by fighting on their behalf. The word derives from the Anglo-Norman French word, campion, of the same meaning. 1

We found this interesting passage that explores the "champion" aspect in more detail: "In the ordeal by battle, in criminal cases, the accuser and the accused took the field themselves, but in disputes about the ownership of land, the actual parties to the suit were represented by 'champions', in theory their free tenants, but in practice, hired men, professional champions, and very well paid. In 1294 the Dean and Chapter of Southwell incurred a prospective liability of about £750 in modern money in hiring a champion to fight a duel to settle a law-suit about the advowson of a church. A pugil or champion was a regular member of the household of more than one medieval bishop, Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford (1275-1282), paying his champion, Thomas de Bruges, a salary of half a mark a year." 2

Early Origins of the Champion family

The surname Champion was first found in Hampshire where Herbert Campion was listed at Winton in 1148. A few years later, Geoffrey Champiun was found in Northumberland 1154-1169 and later again, Roger le Campion was found in the Pipe Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1197. In Suffolk, William le Champion was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1220. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include Beatrix le Campiun, Cambridgeshire; John Campiown, Huntingdonshire; and Walter le Campion, Buckinghamshire were listed as holding lands at that time. A few years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Simon Campion and Ricardus Campion. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, Nicholas Champion of Berwick rendered homage to King Edward I in 1291, and again as Nicol Campyon of Berwickshire in 1296. 4

Early History of the Champion family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Champion research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Champion History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Champion Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Champion were recorded, including Champion, Campion and others.

Early Notables of the Champion family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Champion who held manor and estates in Kent

Champion Ranking

In the United States, the name Champion is the 1,899^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 5 However, in France, the name Champion is ranked the 629^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,501 people with that name. 6

Champion migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Champion arrived in North America very early:

Champion Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Pasco Champion, aged 23, who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Elianor" 7
Richard Champion, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo
Richard Champion, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 7
Thomas Champion, from Ashford, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 7
John Champion, who landed in Virginia in 1635 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Champion Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Zachariah Champion, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767

Champion Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adelaid Champion, who arrived in New Orleans in 1822
Ephm Champion, aged 41, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1832 7
Mary Ann Champion, aged 50, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1832 7
Mr. Bennett Champion, (b. 1810), aged 26, Cornish painter departing from Falmouth aboard the "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 8
Mr. Isaac Champion, (b. 1813), aged 27, English miner departing from England aboard the Ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Champion Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Sarah Jane Champion, (b. 1874), aged 29, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th June 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 9
Mr. Herbert J. Champion, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish mining engineer travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA 9
Mr. James Leonard Champion, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish mining engineer travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA 9
Ms. Mary Ann Champion, (b. 1841), aged 64, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 9
Mrs. Bessie Champion, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish dressmaker travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Champion migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Champion Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catherine Champion, who arrived in Toronto in 1871
Alex Champion, who settled in Ontario in 1871

Champion Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas Champion, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th October 1905 en route to Greenwood, British Columbia, Canada 9

Champion migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Champion Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Champion, English convict from Gloucester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 10
Mr. Daniel Champion, (b. 1820), aged 13 born in Market Jew, Cornwall, UK convicted in Bodmin on 15th October 1833, sentenced for 7 years for stealing coins, transported aboard the ship "John Barry" in 1834 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 11
Mr. Daniel Champion (b. 1819), aged 14, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 15th October 1833, sentenced for 7 years for stealing various coins from John Hobbard, transported aboard the ship "John Barry" on 2nd April 1834 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 12
Alice Champion, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Henry Porcher" in 1838 13
Miss Grace Champion, (b. 1814), aged 25, Cornish general servant travelling aboard the ship "Alfred" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th January 1839 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Champion 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:

Champion Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Champion, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Shamrock" in 1856
Mr. Henry Champion, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "John Scott" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 7th March 1858 15
Mrs. Agnes Champion, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "John Scott" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 7th March 1858 15
Miss Sarah Champion, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "John Scott" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 7th March 1858 15
Mr. Richard Champion, (b. 1838), aged 20, Irish shepherd from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Champion (post 1700) +

Marjorie Celeste Champion (1919-2020), née Belcher, an American dancer and actress who at 14 was hired as a dance model for Walt Disney Studios animated films
Willis Champion, American Republican politician, Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives 11th District, 1944-45 17
William J. Champion, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Rhode Island, 1964 17
Sylvester Champion, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Lyme, 1836 17
Schuyler Champion (b. 1847), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State Senate 14th District, 1893-94 17
Robert W. Champion, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 6th District, 1976 17
Samuel G. Champion, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Gloucester County, 1805-06 17
Rachel Champion, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1952 17
Mervin Champion, American Republican politician, Member of Wyoming State Senate, 1950 17
Mario Champion, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2008 17
... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Champion family +

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Hazel Marguerite Champion, née Bishop, Canadian resident from Richmond, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/tasmanian_convicts_cornish.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HENY PORCHER 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838HenryPorcher.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, April 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance