Champion History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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Champion is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a champion. In the Middle Ages, a common way of settling disputes was through trial by combat. Thus, proficient fighters would sell their services to represent parties involved in such cases by fighting on their behalf. The word derives from the Anglo-Norman French word, campion, of the same meaning. 1

We found this interesting passage that explores the "champion" aspect in more detail: "In the ordeal by battle, in criminal cases, the accuser and the accused took the field themselves, but in disputes about the ownership of land, the actual parties to the suit were represented by 'champions', in theory their free tenants, but in practice, hired men, professional champions, and very well paid. In 1294 the Dean and Chapter of Southwell incurred a prospective liability of about £750 in modern money in hiring a champion to fight a duel to settle a law-suit about the advowson of a church. A pugil or champion was a regular member of the household of more than one medieval bishop, Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford (1275-1282), paying his champion, Thomas de Bruges, a salary of half a mark a year." 2

Early Origins of the Champion family

The surname Champion was first found in Hampshire where Herbert Campion was listed at Winton in 1148. A few years later, Geoffrey Champiun was found in Northumberland 1154-1169 and later again, Roger le Campion was found in the Pipe Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1197. In Suffolk, William le Champion was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1220. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include Beatrix le Campiun, Cambridgeshire; John Campiown, Huntingdonshire; and Walter le Campion, Buckinghamshire were listed as holding lands at that time. A few years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Simon Campion and Ricardus Campion. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, Nicholas Champion of Berwick rendered homage to King Edward I in 1291, and again as Nicol Campyon of Berwickshire in 1296. 4

Early History of the Champion family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Champion research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Champion History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Champion Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Champion were recorded, including Champion, Campion and others.

Early Notables of the Champion family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Champion Ranking

In the United States, the name Champion is the 1,899th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 5 However, in France, the name Champion is ranked the 629th most popular surname with an estimated 7,501 people with that name. 6


Champion migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Champion arrived in North America very early:

Champion Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Champion Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Champion Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Champion Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Champion migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Champion Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Champion Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Champion migration to Australia +

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

Champion Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Champion 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:

Champion Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Champion (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Champion +
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