Argenton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Argenton is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Argenton family lived in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in the south of England, where they held lands since the early Middle Ages. The family were "from the town and castle of Argenton, Berry, held in 1080 be Geoffroi, Sire d'Argenton, whose descendants continued there for twelve generations. David d'Argenton (perhaps his brother) held lands de capite in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. 1 He is styled David de Argentomago or Argentomo; but the name gradually lapsed to Argentein or Argentine. His manor or Wymondley in Cambridgeshire was held by grand serjeanty, 'to serve the King on his coronation day with a silver cup'; and the English Argentines consequently substituted three covered cups to the torteauxes that had been borne by their ancestors in France." 2

Early Origins of the Argenton family

The surname Argenton was first found in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in the south of England. "The descendants of this Norman chieftain, David de Argentine, became feudal barons of great personal distinction. Reginald de Argentine, who appears to have been fifth in descent from the companion in arms of the Conqueror, succeeded all his father Giles de Argentine's vast estates, including the manor of Great Wymondeley, in Cambridgeshire. Of the same ancestry was Reginald de Argentine, who, in the 21 Henry III being a knight templar, was standard bearer of the Christian army in a great battle against the Turks, near Antioch, wherein he was slain." 3

Other early records include Geoffrey Argent was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1180. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Richard de Arengtein in Hertfordshire and Reginald de Argente in Essex. Reginald de Argentein was listed in the Feet of Fines in Norfolk in 1281. 4

"A branch of the Argentines was seated in Yorkshire, where William, the son of Robert, held one knight's fee of Percy early in the reign of Henry I. Walter de Argentoun was the first husband of Aaliza de Percy; and their son Roger left three co-heiresses; Agnes, Asmota, and Elizabeth." 2

Early History of the Argenton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Argenton research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1313, 1507, 1568, 1625 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Argenton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Argenton Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Argent, Argentine, Argenton, Argente and others.

Early Notables of the Argenton family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Argentine (died 1507), an English physician who attended Edward V of England and later Arthur, Prince of Wales and was Provost of King's College, Cambridge; John Argent, who was a "Doctor of Physic,"...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Argenton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Argenton family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, travelling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Argenton or a variant listed above: William Argent, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1672; Sarah Argent, who settled in Maryland in 1678; George Argent, who settled in North Carolina in 1736.

Contemporary Notables of the name Argenton (post 1700) +

Anésio Argenton (1931-2011), Brazilian cyclist
Alessandro Argenton (1937-2024), Italian equestrian who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)