Middleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 


The name Middleton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in one of the many places called Middleton throughout England. "There are several dozen places, larger or smaller, scattered up and down England of this name." 1

The surname Middleton 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 Middleton family

The surname Middleton was first found in one of the many villages named Middleton throughout Britain. One of the earlies records of the name was Robert de Mideltone who was listed in 1166 in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Richard de Middleton in Buckinghamshire; Thomas de Middelton in Lincolnshire; and Gilbert de Middleton in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls revealed: Johannes de Midillton; Thomas de Midilton; and Ricardus de Midilton. 1 The Subsidy Rolls of Sussex list William de Midelton in 1327 and The Feet of Fines of Warwickshire list John Middilton (1409-1410.) 2 John de Middleton was vicar of St Mary's Church, Ottery St Mary, Devon in 1297.

Middleton, Warwickshire is a parish in the union of Tamworth. "the Moxhall estate, is the property of Lord Middleton. Middleton Hall, a seat of Lord Middleton's, is an ancient moated mansion, finely situated, and surrounded by an extensive park. " 3

The name was quick to appear further north in Scotland where "the first of the name recorded appears to have been Umfridus de Midilton who witnessed a grant of the lands of Petmengartenach to the Abbey of Arbroath in 1221. " 4 A few years later, Humfrey de Middiltone of the county of Kincardyn rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. Robert Middleton was a defender of Dunbar Castle against the English in 1296, he was taken prisoner by King Edward I of England. "For about three centuries the family here bore the designation of Middleton of that Ilk." 4

Early History of the Middleton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Middleton research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1357, 1488, 1550, 1556, 1580, 1586, 1589, 1608, 1614, 1624, 1627, 1629, 1631, 1636, 1640, 1649, 1651, 1655, 1660, 1662, 1663, 1666, 1673, 1679, 1681, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1705, 1716 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Middleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Middleton 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 Middleton 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Middleton include: Middleton, Middelton, Midleton and others.

Early Notables of the Middleton family

Notables of the family at this time include

Middleton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Middleton is the 716th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Middleton is ranked the 989th most popular surname with an estimated 5,469 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Middleton is the 392nd popular surname with an estimated 9,424 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Middleton as 441st with 1,537 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Middleton as 265th with 22,792 people. 9


Middleton 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 Middleton or a variant listed above:

Middleton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Middleton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Middleton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Middleton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Middleton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Middleton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Middleton migration to Australia +

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

Middleton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Middleton 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:

Middleton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Middleton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
Middleton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Middleton (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Middleton +
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