Knightan History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsOf all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Knightan is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Knighton, which had three locations. The first West Knighton, a parish in the county of Dorset; the second, a chapelry in the parish of Lindridge in the county of Worcester; and thirdly, a chapelry in the parish of St. Margaret's, Leicestershire. Early Origins of the Knightan familyThe surname Knightan was first found in Worcestershire at Knighton-upon-Teame, a chapelry in the parish of Lindridge. West Knighton, is a parish in Dorset, four miles from Dorchester and Knighton is a chapelry in the parish of St. Margaret, Leicester. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists Cnihtetone, (Lecistershire) and Chitestone (Staffordshire.) 1 The first record of the family was Henry Knighton (Cnitthon) (fl. 1363) the English historical compiler and canon of St. Mary's Abbey, Leicester. His name, Henricus Cnitthon is found in three books of the time. 2 In early rolls, a wide variety of spellings were found: Alexander de Cnichteton in the Pipe Rolls for Worcestershire; Ralph de Knichton in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1222; and Hugh de Knyghton in the Subsidy Rolls for Leicestershire, to name a few. 3 In Yorkshire, Thomas de Knyghton was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 4 And in early records from Scotland, "Nicol de Knyghton del counte de Edinburgh rendered homage, 1296 [to King Edward I of England]." 5 Early History of the Knightan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knightan research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1170 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Knightan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Knightan Spelling VariationsThe 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. Knightan has been spelled many different ways, including Knighton, Nicken, Nighten and others. Early Notables of the Knightan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Knightan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Knightan familyThousands 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 Knightans to arrive in North America: John Knighton settled in Virginia in 1643; Joseph Knighton arrived in Philadelphia in 1813.
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