Show ContentsSoltanstall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Soltanstall family

The surname Soltanstall 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 Soltanstall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Soltanstall 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 Soltanstall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Soltanstall Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Soltanstall are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Soltanstall include: Saltonstall, Salton, Saltonston and others.

Early Notables of the Soltanstall 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 Soltanstall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Soltanstall family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Soltanstall 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 Soltanstall 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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