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![Show Contents]() Towghton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Towghton is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Towghton family lived in Sussex having derived from the Old English words toft, meaning cluster of trees or bushes, and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement. Early Origins of the Towghton familyThe surname Towghton was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The name was originally De Toketon and the first of the name is recorded as Elphgege de Toketon about the year 1160. Sir Lewis de Tufton was a Commander of the Army at Cresci. The family moved from Sussex to Kent and acquired lands in Rainham which was known as Tuftons. "The church [of Hothfield, Kent] is an ancient edifice, containing some old and costly monuments to the Tufton family." 1 Early History of the Towghton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Towghton research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1584, 1608, 1622, 1626, 1628, 1631, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1648, 1659, 1664, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1688, 1729, 1753, 1849 and 1900 are included under the topic Early Towghton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Towghton Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Tufton, Toughton, Tuffton, Tofton and others. Early Notables of the Towghton familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet (1578-1631) was an English peer who owned Bodiam Castle; Sir Humfrey Tufton, 1st Baronet (1584-1659), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Maidstone (1640-1648); John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet (1608-1664), an English nobleman and supporter of Charles I of England; Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet (1631-1679), styled Lord Tufton until 1664, an English nobleman, High Sheriff of Westmorland...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Towghton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Towghton familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Towghton or a variant listed above: Richard Tuftin who settled in Nevis in 1660; Symon Tufton landed in North America in 1659.
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: Ales volat propriis
Motto Translation: The bird flies to its kind.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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