Show ContentsLenten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lenten family

The surname Lenten was first found in Linton, now West Linton, a village in the Scottish Borders, (formerly in Peeblesshire) not far from East Linton; Linton, a parish of Roxburghshire; or at East Linton, a small burgh in the parish of Prestonkirk, East Lothian. 1

One of the first records of the name was Gamel de Lintun who witnessed a charter by Ernaldus, bishop pf St. Andrews (c. 1160-62.) Magister Roberts de Linton was vicar of Kylelan (c. 1214.) 1

We would be remiss if we didn't take a moment to discuss the "Worm of Linton" or the "Linton Worm." Linton Hill at Linton in Roxburghshire on the Scottish borders was the home of this legendary beast which emerged from its lair at dusk and dawn to eats crops, livestock and people. "Wyrm" is an Old English/Scottish word for serpent which evolved to the more modern term "worm." After many fearful nights, a man of incredible courage, William or John de Somerville, the Laird of Laristin, attacked the worm in its hideout killing it. A stone carving above the door of Linton Church shows this heroic deed.

Further south in England, the earliest records were: Richard de Linton, London who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273; Hugh de Linton, Yorkshire, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign) and Laurencie de Lynton (of Linton) who was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2

In England, Linton is a market-town and parish in Cambridgeshire, a township in Derbyshire, a parish in Devon, a hamlet in Gloucestershire, a township in Herefordshire, a parish in Kent and there are two parish so named in Yorkshire. 3

Early History of the Lenten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lenten research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1285, 1296, 1348, 1349, 1376, 1411, 1677, 1841, 1884, 1885, 1890 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Lenten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lenten Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Linton, Lynton, Lintern and others.

Early Notables of the Lenten family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Bishop Sydney Linton (1841-1894), the first Bishop of the Diocese of Riverina, Australia. He was consecrated on 1 May 1884 at St Paul's Cathedral, London, and on...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lenten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Lenten family to Ireland

Some of the Lenten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Lenten migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lenten Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ernest E. Lenten, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States, in 1919
  • Fraus Lenten, aged 44, who settled in America, in 1919
  • Henry Lenten, aged 19, who immigrated to America from Limerick, Ireland, in 1919
  • E.B. Lenten, aged 41, who landed in America, in 1921
  • George Ernest Lenten, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1921

Canada Lenten migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lenten Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Bella Lenten, aged 34, who settled in Peterborough, Canada, in 1914
  • George Lenten, aged 46, who settled in Peterborough, Canada, in 1914


  1. 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)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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