Show ContentsGamleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gamleton family

The surname Gamleton was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire at Ganton, a parish, in the union of Scarborough, wapentake of Dickering. "The church is a large and handsome structure of the 14th century, and has an embattled tower at the west end, surmounted by a commanding spire." 1

The first record of the name was John Galmeton who held estates in that shire in the North Riding at Ganton. 2

A canton is a type of administrative division of a country, a term that dates back centuries. The term is derived from the French word canton, meaning corner or district. 3

Phonetically, it is worth noting that Centwine or Kenten (d. 685), was King of the West Saxons, the son of Cynegils and the brother of Cenwalh. "Accepting the statement of Bæda (Eccl. Hist. iv. 12) that after Cenwalh's death the under-kings of the West Saxons divided the kingdom between them for about ten years, we must hold that Centwine had considerably less power than his brother had enjoyed. The 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,' however, says nothing of any such division. " 4

Early History of the Gamleton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gamleton research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Gamleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gamleton Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Gamleton has been spelled many different ways, including Gamton, Ganton, Canton, Candon, Gandon, Ganden, Canden and many more.

Early Notables of the Gamleton family

More information is included under the topic Early Gamleton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gamleton family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Gamletons to arrive in North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook