Show ContentsDinton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Dinton family

The surname Dinton was first found in Northumberland where they the first record of the name was a considerable time before the Norman Conquest when Aelfweard Dentune held manor and lands in that county in 972. 1 However, they are also traditionally understood to be a branch of the Barons of Tatershall, descended from Eudo, a companion of the Conqueror. 2

Continuing this line, Linmouth in Northumberland was an ancient family seat. "This township, which comprises about 300 acres, derives its name from its situation near the influx of the river Line into the ocean. In 1240, John, son of Robert Rue, held the place by military service; and in the 11th of Edward III. the Countess of Pembroke conveyed it to John de Denton, burgess of Newcastle." 3

Denton Hall, located in Denton, a hamlet and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire is home to "a large colony" 4 of the name. The name Denton literally means "farmstead or village in a valley" derived from the Old English "denu" + "tun." Accordingly, there are many listings in the Domesday Book of the name with various spellings including Dentone, Denetun, Danetone, Dentuna, Dentun and Dodintone. 5

Further to the north in Scotland, the family claim descent from "the old barony of Denton in Dumfriesshire. Alan de Denton was juror on an inquest held at Gerwan (Girvan) in 1260. In 1329, Elizabet de Denton received a legacy from the crown. 6

Early History of the Dinton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dinton research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1407, 1414, 1485, 1486, 1515, 1533, 1536, 1539, 1547, 1554, 1558, 1604, 1622, 1625, 1626, 1633, 1670, 1681, 1688, 1703 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Dinton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dinton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Denton, Dennton, Dentone, Dentonn, Dentowne, Dentown, Dentoun, Denntoun, Danton, Dannton and many more.

Early Notables of the Dinton family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Thomas Denton, English Member of Parliament for Leicester in 1407 and 1414; Thomas Denton (before 1515-1558), an English lawyer and politician, a Member of Parliament from 1536 until his death in 1558, who served as a politician for Wallingford (1536), Oxford (1539), Berkshire (1547), Banbury (April 1554), Buckinghamshire (November 1554) and Oxfordshire (1558); Sir Thomas Denton...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dinton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dinton family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jacob Denton who settled in Virginia in the year 1633 and Richard Denton settled in Connecticut in 1635.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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