Knightant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Knightant is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family 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 Knightant family

The surname Knightant 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 Knightant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knightant research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1170 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Knightant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knightant Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Knightant were recorded, including Knighton, Nicken, Nighten and others.

Early Notables of the Knightant family

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

Migration of the Knightant family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Knightant family emigrate to North America: John Knighton settled in Virginia in 1643; Joseph Knighton arrived in Philadelphia in 1813.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lee, Sir Stanley, Dictionary of National Biography. London: The MacMillan Company 1909. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)