Show ContentsAltartant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Altartant come from when the family resided in a region or farm with alder trees [1] or the farm of the great and wise warrior. [2]

Early Origins of the Altartant family

The surname Altartant was first found in Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, where Alderton, parishes or various sizes are still found today. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists: Aldritine in Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire; Aldritone, Wiltshire; and Alretuna, Suffolk. [3]

The first record in early rolls was that of Alexander de Alreton who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1191. Later, John de Aldrinton was found in the Assize Rolls for Worcestershire in 1221 and much later, Richard Alderton was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1525. [4]

Early History of the Altartant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Altartant research. Another 24 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1592 is included under the topic Early Altartant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Altartant Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Altartant has been recorded under many different variations, including Alderton, Elderton, Eldarton, Aldarten, Eldertin and others.

Early Notables of the Altartant family

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

Migration of the Altartant family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Altartant or a variant listed above: John Alderton who came at the time of the "Mayflower" in 1620; and settled in Plymouth, and later in Massachusetts, at the age of 21. Another John Alderton settled in Virginia in 1663.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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