Compson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Compson family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in Compton, a place-name found in numerous locales throughout England. Villages called Compton are found in Berkshire, Huntingdonshire, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire. The name probably sprang from all of these locales at one time or another. Many of the villages date back to the Domesday Book 1 where there were listed with names like Contune (Berkshire), Cunone (Huntingdonshire), and more.

However, the oldest listing was found in Compton Abbas, Dorset where it dates back before the Domesday Book to 956 as Cumtune. The name literally was derived from the Old English "cumb" + "tun" meaning "farmstead or village in a valley," so one can understand the many listings. 2

Early Origins of the Compson family

The surname Compson was first found in Devon where they held a family seat at Compton Castle, a fortified manor house in the village of Compton. The original undefended manor house was built in the mid-14th century and was home to Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539-1583), colonizer of Newfoundland and half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh.

"In the parish of Marldon is the fine old fortified house known as Compton Castle. Once the seat of a family of that name, it came to the Gilberts of Greenway by marriage with a coheiress. Though long a farmhouse the ' castle ' is in very fair preservation. The gateway and chapel preserve their ancient character tolerably intact ; and the whole pile has a remarkably picturesque appearance." 3

Another branch of the family claims descent from Warwickshire where "the Marquis of Northampton derives from Turchill, possessor of Arden, before the Conquest. His descendant Osbert, in 1169, assumed the name of Compton from his estate in the same county. " 4

Another reference states "the family was seated at Compton, called 'in the Windgate,' soon after the Conquest." 5 "Philip de Compton is the first of the name who certainly held the manor of Compton, in the fifth of John." 5

Early History of the Compson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Compson research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1212, 1482, 1528, 1601, 1622, 1625, 1630, 1632, 1643, 1650, 1660, 1663, 1669, 1673, 1675, 1679, 1681, 1691, 1713 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Compson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Compson Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Compson include Compton, Comptons, Competom, Comptown, Comptowne, Comptoun, Comptaun, Comptaune, Comptoune, Coompton, Combton, Combtons, Combtown, Combtaune, Wilmington and many more.

Early Notables of the Compson family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir William Compton (c. 1482-1528), a prominent courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. A fictionalized William Compton was portrayed in 2007 on the television series The Tudors; William Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton (died 1630), known as Lord Compton, an English peer; Sir William Compton (1625-1663), an English royalist army officer; Henry Compton (1632-1713), Bishop of London from 1675 to 1713; Lord Spencer Compton, 2nd Earl of Northampton (1601-1643), an English soldier...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Compson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Compson migration to Australia +

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

Compson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Compson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John Munn" in 1849 6

Compson 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:

Compson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Maria Compson, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880

Contemporary Notables of the name Compson (post 1700) +

Hartwell Thomas Benton Compson (1842-1905), American military officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in the American Civil War
Eleanor Luicime "Betty" Compson (1897-1974), American Academy Award nominated actress, active 1915 to 1948 who appeared in 208 features
John D. Compson, American politician, Mayor of Seneca Falls, New York, 1955-56 7

The Compson 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: Tout bien ou rien
Motto Translation: All well or nothing.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN MUNN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849JohnMunnPassengers.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html