Walten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the bearers of the Walten family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in one of the many places called Walton found throughout England. The surname Walten belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Walten family

The surname Walten was first found in Somerset at Walton-In-Gordano, a parish, in the union of Bedminster, hundred of Portbury. "This manor was owned by Ralph de Mortimer, kinsman of William the Conqueror; some of his family were earls of March, and under them the manor was held for several generations by Richard de Walton and his descendants." 1

However, some of the family also held estates at Walton-On-The-Hill in Lancashire from early times. "In the time of Edward the Confessor, Winestan, a Saxon, held Waletone; and soon after the Conquest a family named Waleton or Walton is mentioned as having possessions here. By a charter of the 2nd of John, the king granted all his land in Waleton to Richard de Mida, son of Gilbert de Waleton; and the same family is named in connexion with various legal acts in subsequent reigns. In the 15th century, Roger Walton died without male issue, and his two daughters carried their inheritance to their husbands." 1

Simon de Wauton, Watton, Walton or Walthone (d. 1266), Bishop of Norwich was probably a native of Walton d'Eiville, Warwickshire and was "one of the clerks of King John, and received from him the church of St. Andrew, Hastings, on 9 April 1206, and two other livings in the two following years." 2

Early History of the Walten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Walten research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1351, 1370, 1410, 1437, 1490, 1535, 1553, 1555, 1560, 1593, 1594, 1600, 1624, 1661, 1665, 1683, 1690, 1692, 1739, 1903 and 1995 are included under the topic Early Walten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walten Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Walten include Walton, Waltone and others.

Early Notables of the Walten family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Thomas Walton, British Knight who bravely fought at the Combat of the Thirty on March 26th, 1351.Another Sir Thomas Walton (1370?-1437?), was Speaker of the House of Commons, born probably about 1370, was son of John de Walton of Great Staughton, Huntingdonshire. 2John Walton (fl. 1410), was an English poet and another John Walton (d. 1490?) was Archbishop of Dublin. Izaak Walton (1593-1683), was an English writer, best known as the author of The Compleat (Complete) Angler. Brian Walton (1600-1661), was an English cleric and scholar, Bishop...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Walten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Walten family to Ireland

Some of the Walten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walten migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Walten Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Henry Walten, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aztec" in 1851 3

The Walten 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: Murus aeneus virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is a wall of brass.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) AZTEC 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Aztec.gif