Show ContentsLamton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lamton family

The surname Lamton 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 Lamton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lamton 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 Lamton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamton Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Lamton has been recorded under many different variations, including Lambton, Lampton, Lamton, Lambtone and others.

Early Notables of the Lamton 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 Lamton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lamton family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Lamton 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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