Templeton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


The age-old Scottish surname Templeton was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people. The Templeton family lived at the village of Templeton in the county of Ayrshire.

Early Origins of the Templeton family

The surname Templeton was first found in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, but the name was "probably derived from Templeton near Dundonald, Ayrshire." 1

"Gilbertus de Tempilton, rector of the church of Rothir (Rothesay) in 1295 is probably Mestre (Master) Gilbert de Templeton of the county of Arne who rendered homage for his possessions in 1296 [to King Edward I of England]." 1

Further to the south in England, the name denoted someone "who came from Templeton (manor belonging to the Knights Templars), the name of places in Berkshire and Devonshire." 2 The parish of Templeton, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of Witheridge, Collumpton and N. divisions of Devon " belonged to the Knights Templars, and afterwards to the Hospitallers of St. John." 3

Early History of the Templeton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Templeton research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1320, 1491, 1499, 1500, 1676, 1764, 1766, 1784, 1802, 1822, 1825, 1828, 1858, 1885, 1886 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Templeton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Templeton Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Templeton has been spelled Templeton, Tempilton, Templeton, Temperton and many more.

Early Notables of the Templeton family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Templeton Ranking

In the United States, the name Templeton is the 2,406th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 4 However, in New Zealand, the name Templeton is ranked the 905th most popular surname with an estimated 813 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Templeton family to Ireland

Some of the Templeton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.



Templeton migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

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

Templeton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Templeton migration to Australia +

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

Templeton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Templeton 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:

Templeton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Templeton (post 1700) +







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