Show ContentsSefftynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Sefftynd family

The surname Sefftynd was first found in Lancashire (now Merseyside) at Sefton, a village and civil parish which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Sextone 1 and literally meant "farmstead where rushes grow," from the Old Scandinavian word "sef" + the Old English word "tun." 2

One of the first records of the family was Henry de Sefton who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1285. 3

Early History of the Sefftynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sefftynd research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1285, 1593, 1595, 1602, 1686, 1756, 1761 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Sefftynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sefftynd Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Sefton, Sephton, Septon and others.

Early Notables of the Sefftynd family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sefftynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sefftynd family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, travelling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Sefftynd or a variant listed above: John Septon, who arrived in Virginia in 1650; William Sephton, who was send to the Windward Islands in 1722; Judith Septon, who came to America in 1744.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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