Batten Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

This unusual name has two possible origins, both from old personal names.  The first and most generally applicable to bearers of the modern-day surname is a little form of the old given name ‘Battle’, itself a diminutive of ‘Bartholomew’, acquired from the Aramaic patronymic ‘bartalmay’. More common variations are: Battn, Baten, Battene, Batteon, Battenn, Battien, Batteni, Battena, Beatten, Batteen.

The surname Batten first appeared in Somerset, where the “family of Batten have seated for nearly six centuries. The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Walter Batun, dated 1248, in the Fines Court Records of Essex. It was during the reign of King Henry 111, who was known as “The Frenchman” dated 1216-1272.  Surname all over the country became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.  It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.  Surnames all over the country began to develop with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Some of the people with the name Batten who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Robert Batten, who landed in America in 1638.  Robert Batten who settled in New England in 1648.  Margery Batten who arrived in Maryland in 1651.  William Batten, who landed in Maryland in 1651.  Margery Batten, who landed in Maryland in 1651. People with the surname Batten who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Francis Batten, who arrived in New Jersey in 1702.  Christopher Batten, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1706. The following century saw much more Batten surnames arrive.  Some of the people with the surname Batten who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included  Mrs A] Batten, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847.  A] Batten, aged 33, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847.  Antonia Batten, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847.  Antonie Jacob Batten, aged 4, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847.  Gerritje Batten, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847.

Some of the individuals with the surname Batten who landed in Australia in the 19th century included  William Batten, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Royal Admiral” in 1838.  Ann Batten, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Cleveland” in 1839. Some of the population with the surname Batten who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included John Batten, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: (Devonshire). Blazon: Argent three battle-axes azure.