Ato History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Ato family

The surname Ato was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1296 when John Atthow held estates in that county.

Early History of the Ato family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ato research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Ato History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ato Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Ato has appeared include Athow, Athaw, Atthawes, Atthow, Athall, Athal and others.

Early Notables of the Ato family

More information is included under the topic Early Ato Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ato family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Ato arrived in North America very early: Brelt Athow, who came to New York in 1832; Mary Athow, who also arrived in New York in 1832; and Thomas Atthew, who was on record in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871..

Contemporary Notables of the name Ato (post 1700) +

Ato Jabari Boldon (b. 1973), Trinidad and Tobago former athlete, four-time Olympic medal winner, Commonwealth Games record holder in the 100 m