Show ContentsRimton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Rimton family

The surname Rimton was first found in Yorkshire at Rimington (Rimmington), a township, in the parish of Gisburn, union of Clitheroe, W. division of the wapentake of Staincliffe and Ewcross. 1

The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Renitone 2 and literally meant "farmstead on the boundary stream," having derived from the Old English words "rima" + -ing" + "tun. 3

The first record of the family was found in 1219 as Goda de Rimington who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire at that time. Years later, Henry de Rymington was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297 and Matilda Rymyngton, de Remymgton was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 4 The same rolls also listed Robertus de Rymngton in 1379. 5

William Remington or Rimston (fl. 1372), was an English theological writer, a Cistercian monk of Salley, Yorkshire, and graduated doctor of theology at Oxford. He was Chancellor of Oxford in 1372. 6

Early History of the Rimton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rimton research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1372 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Rimton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rimton Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Rimton were recorded, including Remington, Remmington, Rimington, Rimmington and others.

Early Notables of the Rimton family

More information is included under the topic Early Rimton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rimton family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Rimton family emigrate to North America: Phillip, Elizabeth and Alice Remington settled in Virginia in 1635; Thomas Remington settled in Barbados in 1669; John Rimmington settled in Virginia in 1754.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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