Cawson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Cawson surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the hamlet of Causton in Norfolk. The place-name appears in the Domesday Book as Caustuna. 1 "The manor of Causton in South Erpingham, Norfolk, is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of 1373." 2

Early Origins of the Cawson family

The surname Cawson was first found in Norfolk where the History of Norfolk notes: "Beatrix, relict of Stephen de Causton, Edgefield, Norfolk and Richer de Causton, Norfolk, 1265. " 2

A few years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 noted Godfrey de Causton, Norfolk; and William de Causton, Norfolk. 2

Of note in the ancient times was Michael de Cawston or Causton (d. 1395), Master of Michaelhouse, Cambridge, a Norfolk man, presumably a native of the village of Cawston, about twelve miles north-west of Norwich. "He became fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, doctor of divinity, and master of Michaelhouse. His appointment as master was apparently made subsequently to 1359, when William of Gotham is mentioned as holding that office. In 1361 or 1362, Cawston was chancellor of his university." 3

Early History of the Cawson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cawson research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1335, 1569, 1631, 1638, 1673 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Cawson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cawson Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cawson include Causton, Caustin, Cawston, Kawston and others.

Early Notables of the Cawson family

Notables of the family at this time include Thomas Causton (d. 1569), English musical composer, "a gentleman of the chapel royal under Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth. Nothing is known of his parentage, but it is possible that he is identical with a Thomas Causton who was living about...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cawson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cawson migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Cawson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ino Cawson, who arrived in Virginia in 1665 4

Cawson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jonas Cawson, who landed in Virginia in 1702 4

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)