Axten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Axten date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the settlement of Axton, in the county of Kent.

Early Origins of the Axten family

The surname Axten was first found in Cheshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. Sometime before the Norman Conquest in 1066 they held a family seat at Ombersley in their mansion Castle known as Acton Hall, in Worcestershire. "Engelard de Acton, of Acton-Pigot and Acton-Burnell, was admitted on the Roll of Guild Merchants of Shrewsbury in 1209. His descendant Edward de Acton, of Aldenham, married the coheiress of L'Strange, living in 1387, and with her acquired an estate in Longnor, in the county. [Shropshire]" 1

Aughton in Lancashire was an ancient family seat. " 'Achetun' was held before the Conquest by Uctred, the Saxon proprietor of Dalton and Skelmersdale; the manor, or parts of it, subsequently came to the families of Acton or Aughton." 2

The parish of Acton-Round in Shropshire was another ancient family seat. "The church is a neat edifice, the walls of which are ornamented with monuments to the memory of the Actons, by one of whom, Sir Richard, the chancel was built in 1761." 2

Another early listing of the name was John Acton (died 1350), an English canon lawyer known for his commentary on the ecclesiastical Constitutions of two papal legates: Cardinal Otto; and Ottobone.

Early History of the Axten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Axten research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1305, 1597, 1600, 1621, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1662, 1665, 1677, 1684, 1685, 1689, 1705, 1716, 1721, 1727, 1728 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Axten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Axten Spelling Variations

Axten has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Axten have been found, including Acton, Ackton, Akton and others.

Early Notables of the Axten family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John de Acton, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1305; John Acton, MP for Droitwich in 1597; Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet (1600-1659), English politician, High Sheriff of Shropshire, a Royalist in the English Civil War; Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (c 1621-1665), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Axten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Axten family to Ireland

Some of the Axten 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.

Migration of the Axten family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Axtens to arrive on North American shores: Benjamin Acton who settled in Pennsylvania in 1683; James Acton settled in New England in 1718; John Acton settled in Virginia in 1642.

Contemporary Notables of the name Axten (post 1700) +

Tracy Axten (b. 1963), English discus thrower at the 1998 Commonwealth Games

Historic Events for the Axten family +

Empress of Ireland

Master Lionel Axten (1911-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 3
Mrs. Dorothea Axten (1879-1914), née Kelly Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 3

The Axten 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: Vaillance avance l'homme
Motto Translation: Valour advances the man.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html