Show ContentsLambtone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lambtone family

The surname Lambtone was first found in Durham where there is a township named Lambton. "Lambton Hall formerly stood here, and was the residence of the Lambton family until the death of William Lambton, Esq., at the close of the eighteenth century." 1 The first on record was John Lambton, Lord of Lambton, who lived about 1150. His successor was Sir Robert Lambton, Lord of Lambton in 1314. 2

His direct descendent was Sir William Lambton, a Royalist, who was a cavalry officer in the service of Charles I and was slain at Marston Moor. Now known as Lambton, Tyne and Wear, it is home to the legend of the Lambton Worm, John Lambton, heir to the Lambton estate and his quest to vanquish the giant worm (dragon.) From this legend, a Lambton curse for three generations, a song written in 1867, and an opera named "The Lambton Worm" by Robert Johnson survive.

Early History of the Lambtone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lambtone research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1582, 1583, 1593, 1640, 1644, 1651, 1662, 1685, 1693, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1717 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Lambtone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lambtone 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 Lambtone 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Lambtone include: Lambton, Lampton, Lamton, Lambtone and others.

Early Notables of the Lambtone family

Notables of the family at this time include John Lambton (1505-1582); Robert Lambton (died 1583); Ralph Lambton (died 1593); Colonel Sir William Lambton (died 1644), who fought in the Battle of Marston Moor on 2 July 1644; and his...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lambtone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lambtone family

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 Lambtone or a variant listed above: James Lambstone, who arrived in Virginia in 1652.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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