Show ContentsTempletum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Templetum. It was a name for someone who lived at the village of Templeton in the county of Ayrshire.

Early Origins of the Templetum family

The surname Templetum was first found in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, but the name was "probably derived from Templeton near Dundonald, Ayrshire." 1

"Gilbertus de Tempilton, rector of the church of Rothir (Rothesay) in 1295 is probably Mestre (Master) Gilbert de Templeton of the county of Arne who rendered homage for his possessions in 1296 [to King Edward I of England]." 1

Further to the south in England, the name denoted someone "who came from Templeton (manor belonging to the Knights Templars), the name of places in Berkshire and Devonshire." 2 The parish of Templeton, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of Witheridge, Collumpton and N. divisions of Devon " belonged to the Knights Templars, and afterwards to the Hospitallers of St. John." 3

Early History of the Templetum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Templetum research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1320, 1491, 1499, 1500, 1676, 1764, 1766, 1784, 1802, 1822, 1825, 1828, 1858, 1885, 1886 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Templetum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Templetum Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Templetum has been spelled Templeton, Tempilton, Templeton, Temperton and many more.

Early Notables of the Templetum family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Templeton (1802-1886), Scottish tenor vocalist, son of Robert Templeton, born at Riccarton, near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, on 30 July 1802. He had a fine voice as a boy, and, joining his eldest brother, a concert-singer and teacher in Edinburgh, he took part in concerts there. In 1822 he became precentor to the Rose Street secession church, then under John Brown (1784-1858). Resolving to adopt a professional career, he went to London and studied under Blewitt, Welsh, De Pinna, and Tom Cooke. In July 1828 he made his début on the stage at Worthing...
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Templetum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Templetum family to Ireland

Some of the Templetum family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Templetum family

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them: John Templeton settled in New England in 1771; Edward Templeton settled in New York State in 1804 along with Jane; William Templeton and his wife settled in New York in 1774.



  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. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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