Show ContentsAltartyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The lineage of the name Altartyn begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived in a region or farm with alder trees [1] or the farm of the great and wise warrior. [2]

Early Origins of the Altartyn family

The surname Altartyn 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 Altartyn family

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

Altartyn Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Altartyn has undergone many spelling variations, including Alderton, Elderton, Eldarton, Aldarten, Eldertin and others.

Early Notables of the Altartyn family

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

Migration of the Altartyn family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Altartyn were among those contributors: 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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