Show ContentsEltown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Eltown

What does the name Eltown mean?

The Eltown name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the village of Elton, which was in the county of Cheshire.

Early Origins of the Eltown family

The surname Eltown was first found in Cheshire, at Elton, a village and civil parish which dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Eltone. 1

There are at least five other villages named Elton scattered throughout Britain but this locale seems to be the oldest. The name has various different origins, but the most prominent meaning is "farmstead where eels are caught." Others include: "farmstead of the princes;" "farmstead of a man called Ella;" and "farmstead associated with a man called AEthel."

The Helston variant hails from the town so named in Cornwall. "The origin of Helston town is equally as uncertain. Mr. Polwhele intimates, that Helston was not unknown as a town so early as the landing of Cesar upon the British shores. 'Helles-ton or Hellas-ton,' says Hals, 'hath upon the north and east Gwendron, west, Sithney and the Loe Pool, south, Mawgan and Gunwallo. As for the first name it signifies a broad hall or college town ; or a town which had a large hall, a palace, court, or manor." 2

Early History of the Eltown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eltown research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1649, 1650, 1654, 1679, 1710, 1711, 1719, 1720, 1722, 1724, 1727, 1728 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Eltown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eltown Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Eltown has undergone many spelling variations, including Elton, Eltone, Helton, Ellton and others.

Early Notables of the Eltown family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Ambrose Elton, JP, of The Hazle, Ledbury, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1618; Sir Abraham Elton, 1st Baronet of Bristol (1654-1728), English peer, Mayor of and Member of Parliament for Bristol from 1722 to 1727; and his son, Sir Abraham Elton, 2nd Baronet (1679-1742,), English peer and politician, Member of Parliament for Taunton between 1724 and 1727, and then for...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eltown Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Eltown family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Eltown were among those contributors: Anthony Elton, wife Susan, three sons and a daughter settled in Maryland in 1682; Ed Elton settled in Virginia in 1653; Anthony Elton settled in West New Jersey in 1664.



The Eltown 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: Artibus et armis
Motto Translation: By arts and arms.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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