The name Gatonbay was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a watchman. The watchman was responsible for keeping guard over the gates of a castle or manor.
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Early Origins of the Gatonbay family
The surname Gatonbay was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Gatenby. One of the first records of the family was Stephen de Gaitenbi (c. 1190-1212) who was listed in Early Yorkshire Charters.
In 1327, the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire listed Thomas de Gaytenby and later Peter de Gaytenby was listed in the Calendar of Inquisitiones post mortem of Yorkshire (1405-1406.) 1
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Early History of the Gatonbay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gatonbay research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gatonbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Gatonbay Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Gatonbay include Gattonsby, Gatensby, Gatonby, Gattenby, Gatenby and many more.
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Early Notables of the Gatonbay family
More information is included under the topic Early Gatonbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Gatonbay family
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Gatonbays to arrive on North American shores: George Gaton settled in Virginia in 1638; Thomas Gatens arrived in Philadelphia in 1840; Patrick Gatans arrived in Philadelphia in 1858; William Gattens settled in Maryland in 1774..
England
