Holton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Holton surname lived in one of the settlements called Holton in the counties of Dorset, Suffolk and Somerset. The surname Holton belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Holton family

The surname Holton was first found in the Isle of Wight where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The family later settled in Wiltshire in the reign of James I (1567-1625) and held Farley Castle there at that time. Rev. Robert Houlton of Milton, Clevedon, Somerset, the promoter of the Suttonian method of variolation was a descendant of this line.

Early History of the Holton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holton research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1696, 1700, 1720 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Holton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holton Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Holton are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Holton include: Houlton, Holton and others.

Early Notables of the Holton family

Notables of the family at this time include Jospeh Houlton Esq., of Trowbridge, (died 1720) High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1696, her purchased from the Hungerford family in 1700...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holton Ranking

In the United States, the name Holton is the 2,408^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1

Holton migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Holton or a variant listed above:

Holton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Holton, who settled in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1630
Robert Holton, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 2
Jon Holton, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 2
William Holton, who arrived in Hartford, Connecticut in 1634 2
John and Bartholomew Holton, who settled in Virginia in 1635
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Rowland Holton, who landed in New England in 1720 2
John and George Holton, who settled in Maryland in 1774

Holton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Holton, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 2
Ellen Holton, aged 23, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 2
Sarah Holton, aged 4, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 2
Mary Ann Holton, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 2
Patrick Holton, who arrived in Iowa in 1874 2

Holton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Holton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Con Holton, aged 45, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
Mary Holton, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland

Holton migration to Australia +

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

Holton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Holton, (b. 1799), aged 21, English sweep who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years for passing forged notes, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1879 3
Mr. Stephen Holton, (b. 1826), aged 12, English ploughman who was convicted in Essex, England for 15 years for theft, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Mr. Daniel Holton, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 15 years for theft, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1838 aboard the ship 4
George Charles Holton, aged 25, a shoemaker, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Cheapside" 5
J.C. Holton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cheapside" in 1849 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Holton (post 1700) +

Abner Linwood Holton Jr. (1923-2021), American politician, 61st Governor of Virginia, from 1970 to 1974, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs (1974-1975)
Abner Linwood "Woody" Holton III, Associate Professor of History at the University of Richmond in Virginia
Michael "Mike" David Holton (b. 1961), retired American professional basketball player
Gerald Holton Ph.D. (b. 1922), American Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics and Research Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University
Robert A Holton Ph.D., American Professor of Chemistry at Florida State University
Ruth Holton (b. 1961), English soprano singer
Clifford Charles "Cliff" Holton (1929-1996), English footballer
Patrick "Pat" Carr Holton (1935-2014), Scottish footballer who played from 1955 to 1969
Luther Hamilton Holton (1817-1880), Quebec businessman and political figure
James Alan "Jim" Holton (1951-1993), Scottish footballer
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Holton family +

The Holton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper fidelis
Motto Translation: Always faithful.