Show ContentsWidon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Widon family

The surname Widon was first found in various shires throughout ancient Britain. The name Whitton literally means "white farmstead," or "farmstead of a man called Hwita," from the Old English words "hwit," + "tun. 1 2

Witton which is a phonetic match, is similarly found throughout England. In this case, the name literally means "farmstead in or near a wood." 1 While the parish names are different, family records typically are scattered in both places, thanks to the ancient spellings that were in use. By example, "Witton, Worcestershire, was Wytton in the 14th century, Witune and Witone [were listed ] in Domesday Book., Wittun A.D. 972, Wittona A.D. 716. The Warwickshire place, Wytton in the 14th cent., was Witone in Domesday Book. Witton, Northwich, was Wytton in the 14th cent. The Lancashire township was Wytton in the 13th cent. The Yorkshire Wittons were Witun in Domesday Book. Witton Gilbert, Durham, was Wittone in the 14th cent., Witton in the 12th century. But Witton-le-Wear, Durham, was Wotton as well as Witton in the 14th cent., apparently the Wuduton [Old English wudu, wiodu, a wood, forest] of Symeon of Durham." 3

There is some evidence that the name may be Norman in origin as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Robert Witon in Normandy 1180-1195. 4

"There are parishes in Lincoln, Durham, Hereford, Northumberland, Salop (Shropshire) and Suffolk." 5

In Chagford, Devon, "the Whyddons the most notable was the eminent judge, Sir John, Serjeant-at-Law under Edward VI., and Judge of the Queen's Bench in the first year of Mary. He died January 27, 1575, and his monument forms one of the leading features of Chagford Church. Whyddon Park is a stretch of broken shaggy moorland hillside descending to the Teign. " 6

In Scotland, the lands of Whitton, in Morebattle parish were found in Roxburghshire. "Several individuals between 1165 and 1306 appear to have derived their surname from the lands of Whitton." 7 John Wytton was prior of St. Andrews in 1285 A.D., Michael and Adam Wytton both rendered homage to King Edward I of England in his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. Richard de Wyttone, persone of the church of Hauwyk, also rendered homage in the same year. Michael was chief forester of the Forest of Selkirk in 1303. His seal showed a deer running. Richard Wyttone, a dignitary of the Church also rendered homage. David Qwitton was juror on an inquest at Roxburgh in 1361. Michael de Witton and Adam de Wytton of Selkirkshire rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 198), and Thomas de Wytton had protection for two years for going on the king of England's service beyond seas, 1370. 7

Early History of the Widon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Widon research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1303, 1370, 1400, 1576, 1585, 1588, 1595, 1635 and 1704 are included under the topic Early Widon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Widon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Whitton, Whitten, Whytten, Whytton, Wytton, Wytten, Witten, Witton, Wyton and many more.

Early Notables of the Widon family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Michael Whitton, Chief Forester of the Kings Forest of Selkirk in 1303. 7 Sir John Whiddon (d. 1576), was an English judge, the eldest son of John Whiddon of Chagford in Devonshire, where his family had long been established. 8 Jacob Whiddon (fl. 1585-1595), was an English sea-captain, "a trusted servant and follower of Sir Walter Raleigh (Ralegh), who speaks of him as 'a man most valiant and honest,' seems to have been with Sir Richard...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Widon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Widon family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Thomas Whitton who settled in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1635; with his wife Audry and his sons Jeremy and James. The Whittons settled at Hingham, Massachusetts and became one of the distinguished families of the U.S.A. Later John Whitton settled in Maryland in 1731.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  7. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  8. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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