Show ContentsTarrlton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Tarrlton family

The surname Tarrlton was first found in Lancashire where the family were first found in the manor of Aigburth. Tarleton is a parish, in the union of Ormskirk, hundred of Leyland in Lancashire. "This place either gave its name to, or received its name from, an ancient family who had possessions here in the reign of Richard II." 1

"The mention of the Tarleton family is interesting; in one way or another they were connected with Aigburth until the beginning of the nineteenth century, but the succession and connexion of the various Tarletons is not quite clear during the period." 2

While there is no doubt of the origin of the name in this area, one of the first record of the name was Maien de Torleton who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1204. More than one hundred years later, Gilbert de Tarleton was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 3

Early History of the Tarrlton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tarrlton research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1588 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Tarrlton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tarrlton Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Tarrlton include Tarleton, Tarlton and others.

Early Notables of the Tarrlton family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Tarlton or Tarleton (died 1588), an English actor of the Elizabethan era. He was the most famous...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tarrlton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tarrlton family to Ireland

Some of the Tarrlton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tarrlton family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Elizabeth Tarleton and her husband settled in Barbados in 1679; B. Tarleton arrived in San Francisco in 1852; Henry Tarlton settled in New England in 1671..



The Tarrlton 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: Post nubila phoebus
Motto Translation: After clouds, sunshine.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
  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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