Show ContentsRampton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Rampton Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Rampton

What does the name Rampton mean?

The ancestry of the name Rampton dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in one of the settlements named Brampton, which were found in the counties of Cumberland, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Westmorland (now part of Cumbria), and the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Brompton literally means the "Broom Enclosure or Farm" from the Old English brom + tun, while Brampton literally means the "Bramble Enclosure or Farmstead" from the Old English bram + tun. 1

Early Origins of the Rampton family

The surname Rampton was first found in Norfolk where they held estates as far back as 1205, when Geoffery Brompton at that time. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Peter de Brampton in Derbyshire; Hugh de Brompton in Huntingdonshire; Geoffrey de Bampton, Huntingdonshire; Brian de Brampton, Gloucestershire; Alan de Bramtone, Cambridgeshire; and William de Brampton, Oxfordshire. 3

The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III listed Bryan de Brumpton, Herefordshire and Adam de Brumpton, Salop (Shropshire) 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign.) 3

Moving to the south in Devon, we found this interesting entry about the Braunton variant which we include in full: Across the Taw lies Braunton, presumably derived from Brannock's ' tun,' Brannock being the patron saint; and the legend of the foundation of the church averring that he was directed to build it where he next saw a sow and her litter, in witness whereof sow and farrows are to be seen duly carven on a boss. Legend further affirms that he obtained the timber from a forest which then grew upon the site of the sandy waste fringing the Taw, now known as Braunton Burrows, and drew it to the spot by deer. And it would be a remarkable coincidence if the remains had not suggested the tradition that a submerged forest does exist in Barnstaple Bay near the point indicated, and that cervine bones and antlers have been found therein. On the cliffs at Croyde, hard by, flint chips are so numerous as to indicate the existence there of a prehistoric implement-manufactory." 4

Interestingly, the name Rampton, typically found in Cambridgeshire and Nottinghamshire is a 13th century variant of the name appearing at that time as Ramtune in Cambridgeshire. 1 This variant is derived from the ancient English word "ram" (meaning enclosure) + "tun." 5

Early History of the Rampton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rampton research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1436, 1440, 1508, 1690 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Rampton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rampton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rampton have been found, including Brampton, Bramton, Brompton, Brumton, Rampton and others.

Early Notables of the Rampton family

  • Sir Edward Brampton, KG (1440-1508), the Governor of Guernsey, a knight, adventurer, ship commander and the godson and protégé of King Edward IV of England
  • Sir Nicholas Brampton

Migration of the Rampton family to Ireland

Some of the Rampton 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.

Rampton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rampton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Rampton, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • Charles Rampton, aged 43, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • Anne Rampton, aged 43, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • William Rampton, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • Charles Rampton, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rampton (post 1700) +

  • Jason M. Rampton, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alaska, 2008 6
  • Calvin Lewellyn Rampton (1913-2007), American Democratic Party politician, Davis County Attorney, 1939-41; Governor of Utah, 1965-77 7
  • Richard Rampton KC (1941-2023), British libel lawyer who was involved in several high-profile cases including Irving v. Penguin Books and Lipstadt
  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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