Show ContentsRenton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Renton surname is derived from the Scottish place name Renton in Berwickshire, which comes in turn from the element "regen," meaning "govern," and the Old English "tun," meaning settlement.

Early Origins of the Renton family

The surname Renton was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Renton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Renton research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1235, 1296, 1330 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Renton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Renton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Renton, Wrenton, Rentin, Renten, Wrenten, Wrentin and others.

Early Notables of the Renton family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Simon Renton of Berwick


United States Renton migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Renton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Renton, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 1
  • William Renton, who settled in Nevis in 1722
Renton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Richard Renton, who arrived in America in 1819 1
  • Mary Renton arrived with her husband in New York in 1822
  • Mary Renton, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1822 1
  • William Renton, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1835 1

Australia Renton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Renton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • David Renton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Moffatt" in 1839 2
  • Richard Renton, aged 41, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 3
  • John Renton, aged 22, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Omega" 4
  • Mr. William Renton who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Clara" on 19th March 1857, arriving in Western Australia, Australia 5

New Zealand Renton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Renton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. J. Renton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 6
  • Mrs. Renton, British settler travelling from London with 2 children aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 6
  • Mr. John Renton, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 3rd September 1860 6
  • Mrs. Renton, Scottish settler with 2 daughters travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 3rd September 1860 6
  • Arthur Renton, aged 24, a carpenter, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dunedin" in 1875 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Renton (post 1700) +

  • Kristen Louise Renton (b. 1982), American actress, known for her recurring role as Ima on Sons of Anarchy and her former role on Days of Our Lives (1965)
  • David Malcolm Renton (1878-1947), known as “DM”, an American builder and business executive
  • W. W. Renton, American politician, Mayor of Wheaton, Illinois, 1942 8
  • Peter Renton, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 4th District, 1840-42 8
  • Merle G. Renton, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1940 8
  • George F. Renton, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Hawaii Territory, 1912 8
  • Fletcher Lowrie Renton (b. 1900), American Republican politician, Mayor of Royal Oak, Michigan, 1938-43; Resigned 1943; Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1940 8
  • Kris Joseph Renton (b. 1990), Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Newtongrange Star
  • Ross Renton (b. 1979), Scottish Liberal Democrat politician and an educationalist
  • Paul John Renton (1962-2017), New Zealand rugby union player
  • ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. 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)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MOFFATT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Moffatt.htm
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) TRAFALGAR 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Trafalgar-March.htm
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OMEGA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/omega1852.shtml
  5. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 11th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clara
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 9th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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