Newton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


Newton is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Newton family lived in Cheshire, at Newton. The surname Newton was originally derived from the Old English words, neowe, meaning new, and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement. 1

Early Origins of the Newton family

The surname Newton was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Alward de Niwetuna was recorded as holding lands in Norfolk at that time. 2 Years later, Robert de Neweton was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1190 for Yorkshire and Stephen de Neuton was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire c. 1280. 3

Other early rolls entries include: Gannora de Neutone, Staffordshire; Ralph de Neatone, Huntingdonshire; and Alan de Neuton, Lincolnshire, all listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include entries for: Willelmus de Neweton; and Johannes de Neuton. 4

While there are many parishes so named, one source claim the family is "from Newton in Haddingtonshire. The family were seated there in 1377; Sir Isaac Newton derived his descent from them." 5

Much of the family was found in Cheshire at Wilmslow, a parish, in the union of Altrincham, hundred of Macclesfield. "In the north chapel [of Wilmslow church] are two altar-tombs sunk in the wall, on which are figures representing the Newtons of Newton and Pownall." 6 We must take a moment to explore the hamlet of Woolsthorpe in Lincolnshire. "This is an ancient hamlet, consisting of a few farmhouses and thatched cottages, with the old manor-house, in which the immortal Sir Isaac Newton was born, on Christmas-day, 1642. His father, John Newton, Esq., was lord of the manor. Great care is taken for the preservation of the house; and when it was repaired, in 1798, a tablet of white marble, commemorating the philosopher's birth, was put up in the chamber where the event took place." 6

Scotland was home to another branch of the family: "The first three persons here named derived their name from the old parish of Newton in Midlothian. James de Neutone and Huwe de Neutone of Edinberghshire (Edinburghshire) rendered homage in 1296. Alexander de Newtoun de eodem was one of assize on the perambulation of the bounds of Gladmor, 1430." 7

Early History of the Newton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newton research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1374, 1446, 1463, 1479, 1543, 1579, 1626, 1642, 1660, 1661, 1699 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Newton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Newton Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Newton family name include Newton, Newdon and others.

Early Notables of the Newton family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Newton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Newton is the 367th most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Newton is ranked the 759th most popular surname with an estimated 7,020 people with that name. 9 And in Australia, the name Newton is the 238th popular surname with an estimated 14,313 people with that name. 10 New Zealand ranks Newton as 233rd with 2,528 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Newton as 178th with 30,722 people. 12

Migration of the Newton family to Ireland

Some of the Newton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Newton migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Newton family to immigrate North America:

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

Newton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Newton migration to Australia +

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

Newton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Newton 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:

Newton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Newton 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
Newton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Newton (post 1700) +


The Newton 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: Huic habeo non tibi
Motto Translation: I hold it for him, not for thee.


Suggested Readings for the name Newton +
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