Wolton History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe ancestors of the Wolton surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in one of the many places called Walton found throughout England. The surname Wolton 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 Wolton familyThe surname Wolton 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 Wolton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wolton 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 Wolton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wolton Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Wolton include Walton, Waltone and others. Early Notables of the Wolton familyNotables 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... Migration of the Wolton family to IrelandSome of the Wolton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
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: Wolton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Wolton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 4 Wolton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
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.
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