Elten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Elten surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the village of Elton, which was in the county of Cheshire.

Early Origins of the Elten family

The surname Elten was first found in Cheshire, at Elton, a village and civil parish which dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Eltone. 1

There are at least five other villages named Elton scattered throughout Britain but this locale seems to be the oldest. The name has various different origins, but the most prominent meaning is "farmstead where eels are caught." Others include: "farmstead of the princes;" "farmstead of a man called Ella;" and "farmstead associated with a man called AEthel."

The Helston variant hails from the town so named in Cornwall. "The origin of Helston town is equally as uncertain. Mr. Polwhele intimates, that Helston was not unknown as a town so early as the landing of Cesar upon the British shores. 'Helles-ton or Hellas-ton,' says Hals, 'hath upon the north and east Gwendron, west, Sithney and the Loe Pool, south, Mawgan and Gunwallo. As for the first name it signifies a broad hall or college town ; or a town which had a large hall, a palace, court, or manor." 2

Early History of the Elten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elten research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1649, 1650, 1654, 1679, 1710, 1711, 1719, 1720, 1722, 1724, 1727, 1728 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Elten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elten Spelling Variations

Before 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 Elten include Elton, Eltone, Helton, Ellton and others.

Early Notables of the Elten family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Ambrose Elton, JP, of The Hazle, Ledbury, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1618; Sir Abraham Elton, 1st Baronet of Bristol (1654-1728), English peer, Mayor of and Member of Parliament for Bristol from 1722 to 1727; and his son, Sir Abraham Elton, 2nd Baronet (1679-1742,), English peer and politician, Member of Parliament for Taunton between 1724 and 1727, and then for...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Elten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elten migration to the United States +

A 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:

Elten Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Sophia Elten, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 3

The Elten Motto +

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: Artibus et armis
Motto Translation: By arts and arms.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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)