Show ContentsLatins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Latins family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Wiltshire, at the manor of Lattin, from where their name is taken.

Early Origins of the Latins family

The surname Latins was first found in Wiltshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Lattin. The family claim to be a junior branch of the Estoutville family of d'Estouteville-en-Caux in Normandy, Governors of the castle of Ambrieres, which branch was part of the senior branch of the family of Roger d'Estouteville, brother of Herluin, founder and first Abbot of Bec, who was reputedly related to the Duke of Normandy. [1]

"William de la Toune occurs in Shropshire during the reign of Edward I. and John de la Doune was Lord of Doune, in that county, in 1316. Ralph de la Thun held land in Woodchurch, Kent, of the King in capite, and died before 1260, 'without heir of his body.' Thomas de Toune, of Throwley, was one of the constables of the Hundred of Faversham during the great Kentish rebellion of 1380." [2]

"John de la Dune, in 1254, held land at Bradewell, in Essex, 'by the serjeancy of carrying one gleyve (gladium) or sword, in the King's army. And, in 1284, Thomas de la Doune, most probably his son, held a tenement in Bradewell by the serjeancy of finding one lance for the King, whenever he should happen to go with an army into Wales.' He died in 1306, leaving an heiress Margaret. Morant suggests that he took his name from Dounhall, his residence ; but it is at least equally likely that his house was named from him. In Surrey, Gregory de la Doune held of William de Windsor at Compton [3]. Sir Roger de la Dune, 'a knight of Middlesex' is mentioned in Staffordshire temp. Henry III. " [2]

The senior branch of the Estoutevilles were granted Lydesdale Castle on the border of England and Scotland, junior sons settled on other estates granted them throughout England. As was customary, second and third sons adopted the surname of the estates. Hence Walter d'Estouteville became Walter Latton of Wiltshire about 1100. Junior branches of this family were, the Lattins of Upton in Berks, Esher in Surrey, and the Morristown Lattins of Kildare in Ireland.

Early History of the Latins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Latins research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1290 and 1172 are included under the topic Early Latins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Latins Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Latins were recorded, including Latton, Lattin, Latin, Lattins, Lattons, Latins, De Latton and many more.

Early Notables of the Latins family (pre 1700)

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

Ireland Migration of the Latins family to Ireland

Some of the Latins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 122 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Latins family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Latins arrived in North America very early: John Latin who settled in New York State in 1636.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  3. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)


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