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![Show Contents]() Coniton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
When the ancestors of the Coniton family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Cambridgeshire, in the parish of Connington. Early Origins of the Coniton familyThe surname Coniton was first found in Cambridgeshire, at Conington, a parish, in the union of St. Ives, hundred of Papworth. "The lordship, together with the ancient castle, of which there are some vestiges in the village, was given by Canute to Turkill, a Danish lord, who, taking advantage of his residence among the East Angles, invited over Sueno to plunder the country. After Turkill's departure it fell to Waldeof, Earl of Huntingdon, who married Judith, niece to the Conqueror, from whom it descended to the royal line of Scotland. " 1 Accordingly, the place name literally means "The king's manor, the royal estate," from the Old Scandinavian word "konunger" + the Old English word "tun." 2 It was listed twice in the Domesday Book of 1086, once as Coninctune and secondly as Cunitone. 3 One of the first on records was Richard Conyngton (d. 1330), Franciscan, who "studied at the university of Oxford, where he proceeded to the degree of doctor in theology. He must also have lived for some time on the continent, since a younger contemporary, the famous John Baconthorpe, says he was a pupil of Henry of Ghent. Conyngton was held in high repute as a schoolman." 4 Early History of the Coniton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coniton research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273 and 1340 are included under the topic Early Coniton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Coniton Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Coniton has been recorded under many different variations, including Connington, Connigton, Conitone, Conyton, Coniton, Conintone and many more. Early Notables of the Coniton familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was - William de Coniton, a prominent landholder in 13th century Cambridgeshire
Migration of the Coniton familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Conitons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Wm. Connington, who arrived in Baltimore in 1676; William Connington, who arrived in Maryland in 1676; Naomi Connis, who arrived in Boston in 1702; Lewis Connington, who settled in America in 1757.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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