Show ContentsSalltonstil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Salltonstil family

The surname Salltonstil was first found in Yorkshire where the family claim descendancy from Robert de Saltonstall who held lands in Warley, near Halifax, Yorkshire in 1274.

While this is the generally accepted origin of the family, two sources claim the family could have originated at Salternstall in Kent which literally meant "salt works place." 1 2

The American colonist Sir Richard Saltonstall (1586-1661) who led a group of English settlers up the Charles River to settle in what is now Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630 was a nephew of the Lord Mayor of London Richard Saltonstall (1517-1600.) The latter claimed descendancy from Yorkshire. In fact, Sir Richard served as a Justice of the Peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire and was Lord of the Manor of Ledsham before his departure for America.

Early History of the Salltonstil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Salltonstil research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1517, 1586, 1600, 1630, 1639, 1661, 1666, 1692, 1707, 1708 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Salltonstil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Salltonstil 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 Salltonstil have been found, including Saltonstall, Salton, Saltonston and others.

Early Notables of the Salltonstil family

Notables of the family at this time include Richard Saltonstall (1517-1600), Lord Mayor of London. His nephew Sir Richard Saltonstall (1586-1661) led a group of English settlers up the Charles River to settle in what is now Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630. Sir Richard's grandson was Col. Nathaniel Saltonstall (c. 1639-1707), a colonial judge who resigned from his...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Salltonstil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Salltonstil family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Salltonstil, or a variant listed above: Andrew Hutchins Mickle Saltonstall of Berkeley Springs who settled in West Virginia about 1630; Sir Richard Saltonstall settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630.



The Salltonstil 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: Teneo tenuere majores
Motto Translation: I hold (what) my ancestors held.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print


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