Lonton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Lonton name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Lincolnshire. However, there are numerous villages and civil parishes named "Langton" throughout England including locals in Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Kent and Dorset. This is large part due to the fact that the place name literally translates as "long farmstead or estate," having derived from the Old English words "lang" + "tun." 1 Some are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086: Lang(e)tone (Leicestershire); Langeton (North Yorkshire - now Great Langton); and Terlintone (Leicetershire - now Tur Langton.) 2 The oldest place name recorded was Langton Durham which was listed as Langadum c. 1050 eluding to it's Saxon origin.

Early Origins of the Lonton family

The surname Lonton was first found in Lincolnshire at Langton by Spilsby, sometimes called Langton by Partney, a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district. The parish of Langton is nearby. "This parish, which has been the residence of the Langton family for more than seven centuries." 3 One of the earliest records of the name was Cardinal Stephen Langton (c.1150-1228), who was Archbishop of Canterbury (1207 until death in 1228.) He was a critical player in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215. A manor which has remained to the present day in the inheritance of this house can be found at Langton by Spilsby. 4 Walter de Langton (1296-1321), Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Lord High Treasurer of England, and a favourite of Edward I. was born in Langton West.

Another branch of the family was found at Woolstone in Lancashire. "In the 20th of Edward I., John Byrun claimed free warren here in right of his wife Alesia, heiress of Robert Banastre. This lady was afterwards married to Sir John Langton, whose descendant, John Langton, in the reign of Edward III. held Wolueston as Baron of Makerfield. How long the property continued in this family does not appear, but it seems to have been alienated anterior to the reign of Philip and Mary." 3

Early History of the Lonton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lonton research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1207, 1215, 1227, 1228, 1248, 1279, 1305, 1337, 1501, 1614, 1622, 1625, 1626, 1645, 1648, 1659, 1698 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Lonton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lonton 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 Lonton were recorded, including Langton, Langston and others.

Early Notables of the Lonton family

Distinguished members of the family include Stephen Langton (c. 1150-1228), Archbishop of Canterbury (1207-1228), a central figure in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which contributed to the crisis which led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215; William Langton (or William of Rotherfield; died 1279), a medieval English priest and nephew of Archbishop Walter de Gray; Simon Langton (died 1248), an English clergyman, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1227-1248)...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lonton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lonton family to Ireland

Some of the Lonton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lonton migration to the United States +

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 Lonton family emigrate to North America:

Lonton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Lonton, who landed in Maryland in 1671 5

The Lonton Motto +

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: Loyal au mort
Motto Translation: Faithful unto death.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)