Show ContentsChorltyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Chorltyn is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived at Chorlton, in the county of Lancashire. "The township was then chiefly occupied as an agricultural estate connected with the ancient Chorlton Hall, which is still standing near St. Luke's chapel." 1 The name was originally derived from the elements churl, meaning peasant and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement. 2 3

Chorlton is also a township in Chester and a chapelry in Staffordshire. 1

Early Origins of the Chorltyn family

The surname Chorltyn was first found in Somerset where Alan de Cherleton, was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 4

The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire included an entry for Muriel Chorlton in 1327 and later in Gloucestershire, William de Chorleton was listed in 1380. Thomas Chorleton was found in Nottinghamshire in 1419. 5

Early History of the Chorltyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chorltyn research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1377, 1380, 1419, 1603, 1666, 1682, 1687, 1695 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Chorltyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chorltyn Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Chorltyn are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Chorltyn include: Chorlton, Chorleton, Cherleton and others.

Early Notables of the Chorltyn family

Distinguished members of the family include John Chorlton (1666-1705), an English Presbyterian minister and tutor from Salford, Greater Manchester. "He was educated for the ministry in the northern academy under Richard Frankland, M.A., the date of his admission...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chorltyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chorltyn family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Chorltyn or a variant listed above: John Chorlton who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832; and Isaac Chorlton, who came to Philadelphia in 1860.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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