Show ContentsRenten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Renten family

The surname Renten was first found in Berwickshire at Renton, in the parish of Coldingham. "The Rentons of Renton were hereditary foresters of Coldingham in the reign of William the Lion, and Ricardus forestarius appears in record as Ricardus de Reningtona. In the fourteenth century the Rentons were an influential family of burgesses in Berwick. During the fifteenth century the family terminated in the direct line in a daughter who married Ellem of Ellemsford. Robert de Rentun witnessed a charter by Herbert, abbot of Kelso, c. 1225. Symon of Rennyngton, burgess of Jedburgh, rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 197). John de Raynton who had a charter of lands of Over Lamberton in 1323 is probably the John de Rainton (Rayntoun, or Rayneton) who was burgess and customar of Berwick in 1325 and following years and c. 1332 received a charter of lands in Kirckambirton." 1

In England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Mathew de Renedon, or Reneton, Devon; and Robert de Reyndon, Warwickshire. 2

Early History of the Renten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Renten research. Another 251 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1235, 1296, 1330, 1429, 1431, 1464, 1473, 1479, 1500, 1548, 1557, 1561, 1569, 1590, 1634, 1646 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Renten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Renten Spelling Variations

The name, Renten, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Renton, Wrenton, Rentin, Renten, Wrenten, Wrentin and others.

Early Notables of the Renten family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Renten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Renten family

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Renten surname who came to North America were: James Renton, who settled in Virginia in 1716; William Renton settled in Nevis in 1722; Mary Renton arrived with her husband in New York in 1822.



  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)


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