Show ContentsEaton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Eaton surname lived on a farm by a river or a farm on an island. [1] The surname Eaton originally derived from the Old English word Eatun which referred to farm on a river or island. The surname Eaton is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Eaton family

The surname Eaton was first found in various townships named "Eaton," throughout Britain including those in Berkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Salop, Herefordshire, Bedfordshire and more. Many of the villages and parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 including: Castle Eaton, Wiltshire; Eaton, Norfolk; Eaton, Oxfordshire; Eaton Socon, Cambridgeshire and Eaton Bray in Bedfordshire. [1]

One source claims that Cheshire is the original home to the family. "The Cheshire Eatons take their name from townships of the name in the county. The Eatons of Eaton, a very old and distinguished family, are probably the parent stock." [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 points to the earliest records of the family: Peter de Eton in Huntingdonshire; and Brian de Eton in Wiltshire. [3]

Early History of the Eaton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eaton research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1596, 1610, 1633, 1634, 1658, 1665, 1674, 1684 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Eaton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eaton Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Eaton are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Eaton include: Eaton, Eton, Eaten and others.

Early Notables of the Eaton family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Samuel Eaton (ca.1596-1665), an English independent divine
  • Theophilus Eaton (c.1590-1658), a merchant, farmer, and Puritan colonial leader who was the co-founder and first governor of New Haven Colony, Connecticut
  • Nathaniel Eaton (1610-1674) English settler Massachusetts Bay Colony (c. 1634), the first schoolmaster of Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Eaton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Eaton is the 594th most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. [4] However, in Australia, the name Eaton is ranked the 694th most popular surname with an estimated 5,645 people with that name. [5] And in New Zealand, the name Eaton is the 909th popular surname with an estimated 811 people with that name. [6] The United Kingdom ranks Eaton as 541st with 11,978 people. [7]

Ireland Migration of the Eaton family to Ireland

Some of the Eaton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Eaton migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Eaton or a variant listed above:

Eaton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Francis Eaton, (1596-1633), who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower" [8]
  • Mrs. Sarah Eaton, (d. 1621), who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower" [8]
  • Mr. Samuel Eaton, (1619-1684), who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower" [8]
  • Mrs. Abigail Eaton, (b. 1600), aged 35, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Elizabeth and Anne" arriving in Massachusetts Bay (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire) in 1635 [9]
  • Miss Mary Eaton, (b. 1631), aged 4, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Elizabeth and Anne" arriving in Massachusetts Bay (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire) in 1635 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Eaton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alice Eaton, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 [10]
  • George Eaton, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1713 [10]
  • Mary Eaton, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1713 [10]
  • Jane Eaton, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1713 [10]
  • Gwenllian Eaton, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1713 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Eaton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Nicholas Eaton, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1801 [10]
  • Daniel T Eaton, who arrived in America in 1801-1802 [10]
  • Thomas Eaton, who arrived in America in 1803 [10]
  • James B Eaton, who arrived in America in 1803 [10]
  • James Eaton, aged 28, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Eaton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Eaton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Eaton, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • William H Eaton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Benjamin Eaton, who arrived in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
  • William Eaton, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
  • John Eaton, who arrived in Quebec in 1784
Eaton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Eaton, who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Mary Eaton, aged 22, who arrived in Quebec in 1833

Australia Eaton migration to Australia +

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

Eaton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Ann Eaton, (b. 1789), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [11]
  • Mr. John Eaton, (b. 1789), aged 30, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1839 [12]
  • Mr. John Eaton, British Convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [13]
  • James Eaton, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [14]
  • Mr. Philip Eaton who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 24th March 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Eaton 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:

Eaton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Daniel William Eaton, aged 17, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
  • John W. Eaton, aged 16, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
  • Arthur Eaton, aged 15, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
  • Richard A. Eaton, aged 53, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
  • Edward Eaton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Eaton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [16]
Eaton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Eaton, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 [10]
  • Mr. George Eaton, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [17]

Contemporary Notables of the name Eaton (post 1700) +

  • James Mack Van Eaton (1937-2024), known as Jimmy Van Eaton or J. M. Van Eaton, was an American rock and roll drummer, singer and record producer
  • Jagger Jesse Eaton (b. 2001), American professional skateboarder, he was formerly the youngest ever X Games competitor. In 2021, he won the first Olympic skateboarding medal, winning a bronze in the men's street competition in Tokyo, Japan
  • Mark E. Eaton (1957-2021), American professional NBA basketball player who spent his entire career (1982-1993) with the Utah Jazz
  • Cleveland Josephus Eaton II (1939-2020), American jazz double bassist, producer, arranger, composer and publisher
  • John Charles Eaton (1935-2015), American composer, recipient of the Prix de Rome and was a Guggenheim Fellow
  • Joseph W. Eaton (1919-2012), born Josef Wechsler, German-born, American sociologist and anthropologist
  • Brigadier-General William Herbert Eaton (1906-1945), American Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply Army Air Force (1945) [18]
  • Brigadier-General Ralph Parker Eaton (1898-1986), American Staff Secretary, Caribbean Command (1948-) [19]
  • Aileen Eaton (1909-1987), Canadian born American boxing promoter
  • Bobby Eaton (b. 1958), American professional wrestler
  • ... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Raymond K J Eaton (b. 1917), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Poole, Dorestshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [20]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Emory Lowell Eaton, American Fireman Third Class from Oklahoma, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [21]


The Eaton 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: Vincit omnia veritas
Motto Translation: Truth conquers all things.


Suggested Readings for the name Eaton +

  • The Kiehl/Manwarren Genealogy Margery Kiehl Hughes.

  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  9. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 24th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. 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)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  17. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  18. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, January 24) William Eaton. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Eaton/William_Herbert/USA.html
  19. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, January 24) Ralph Eaton. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Eaton/Ralph_Parker/USA.html
  20. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  21. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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