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![Show Contents]() Litleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Litleton is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in one of the many places called Littleton throughout England. The surname Litleton belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Alternatively, the name could have of Norman origin as one source claims the name "appears to be a branch of the De Vautort, or Valletort, from Vautort, Maine, of which Reginald, Hugh, and Goisfried de Valletort came to England in 1066." 1 Early Origins of the Litleton familyThe surname Litleton was first found in Worcestershire where "the name is derived from a place in the Vale of Evesham, where the ancestors of this family in the female line were seated before the reign of Richard I." 2 "The celebrated jurist, Sir Thomas Lyttelton, who had three sons, whose posterity were elevate to the peerage in each line, sprang maternally from Thomas de Luttelton, of co. Worcester, temp. Henry III. The surname probably originated at one of the several places called Littleton, in that county." 3 Sir Edward Littleton (c.1599- c.1657) was the first of four Littleton Baronets. His seat was Pillaton Hall in Staffordshire. He also held a manor in Tiddesley-Hay. "This was a royal chase, adjoining that of Cannock, till the reign of Elizabeth, who granted it jointly to the Earls of Warwick and Leicester, by whom it was sold to Sir Edward Littleton, of Pillaton Hall." 4 Humphrey and Stephen Littleton, (or Lyttelton) who both died on 7 April 1606 were probably the most infamous members of the family. Both were both executed for their involvement in the Gunpowder plot. Early History of the Litleton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Litleton research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1407, 1415, 1481, 1561, 1570, 1571, 1584, 1589, 1593, 1599, 1601, 1608, 1615, 1620, 1621, 1624, 1626, 1640, 1644, 1645, 1647, 1650, 1660, 1661, 1670, 1678, 1679, 1681, 1693, 1698, 1700 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Litleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Litleton 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. Litleton has been spelled many different ways, including Littleton, Lyttleton and others. Early Notables of the Litleton familyNotables of the family at this time include Sir Thomas de Littleton (1407-1481), an English judge and legal author; Sir Thomas Littleton (c. 1415-1481), an English jurist; Gilbert Lyttelton (c.1570-1599), Member of Parliament for Worcestershire (1570-1571) High Sheriff of Worcestershire for 1584; Sir John Lyttelton (1561-1601), Member of Parliament for Worcestershire; Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 1st Baronet (1593-1650), Member of Parliament for Worcestershire (1615-1626); Sir Henry Lyttelton, 2nd Baronet (1624-1693), Member of Parliament for Lichfield (1678-1679); Edward Littleton, 1st Baron Lyttleton (Littelton)...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Litleton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Litleton family to Ireland
Some of the Litleton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 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 Litleton 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 Litletons to arrive in North America: George Littleton, who settled in Virginia in 1649; Edward Littleton settled in Barbados with his servants in 1679; Joseph Littleton settled in Virginia in 1765..
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Ung Dieu et ung roy
Motto Translation: One God and one King.
- 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)
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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England
Ireland
