Britton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Britton Origin:

France, England

Origins of Britton:

The surname of Britton can be traced to the country of France. Contrary to popular belief, this surname has nothing to do with Britain, but rather is a locational name. This means that the surname of Britton was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Britton, the location tied to this surname is that of Breton, France. The Bretons were a group of people who were driven to South West England by Anglo-Saxon invaders. Many people who were known by the surname of Breton arrived in England with William the Conqueror in the year of 1066.

Variations:

More common variations are: Brittion, Britteon, Breitton, Brritton, Brittona, Brittoni, Brietton, Boritton, Brittaon, Briton, Britten, Brittan, Bretton, Breton, Brittin, Brittain, Britain

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Britton can be found in the country of England. One person by the name of John de Bretagne was mentioned as a witness in the Assize Rolls of the county of Staffordshire in the the year of 1291. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward I, who was known throughout the ages as “The Hammer of the Scots,” and was thus named because of the conquests and hardships that he bestowed upon the Scottish people throughout his reign. King Edward I ruled from the year 1272 to the year 1307. Other mentions of the surname of Britton in the country of England include one William Bryttayne who was married to one Elizabeth Cook in the year of 1559, on November 28th in Betley. Another mention of the surname of Britton included one John Brittain who was also mentioned in Betley, as being christened their in the year of 1589. One Edward Brittain was christened in London at St. Mary Whitechapel in the year of 1630 on November 17th. Those who bear the surname of Britton in the country of England can be found in large concentrations in the area of Staffordshire.

United States of America:

In the 17th century, it became common for European citizens to migrate to the United States of America, which at that time was referred to as the New World, or the Colonies. Among those who immigrated to the New World was one Tho Britton, who arrived in the state of Virginia in the year of 1635. Closely following his arrival was one Mary Britton, who landed in the state of Maryland in the year of 1637.

Canada:

Throughout the 18th Century, many European settlers migrated to Canada to escape the civil war in the United States. Among the first people to migrate to Canada were those who bore the surname of Britton. One Mr. John Britton U.E. settled in Carleton (Saint John City), New Brunswick in the year of 1783.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Britton: United States 33,373; England 10,153; Australia 3,015; Canada 2,778; South Africa 2,265; Wales 959; Jamaica 589; Scotland 545; Colombia 507; Panama 473

Notable People:

Devin Britton (born in 1991) who is a professional tennis player from the United States of America

Nathaniel Lord Britton (1859-1934) who was a botanist and taxonomist from the United States of America

Elizabeth Gertrude Britton (1857-1934) who was a bryologist and a botanist from the United States of America

Christopher “Chris” Daniel Britton (born in 1982) who is a right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher from the United States of America

Zachary Grant “Zach” Britton (born in 1987) who is a Major League Baseball pitcher from the United States of America

Barbara Britton (1919-1980) who was a film and TV actress who was most notably recognized for her portrayal as Laura Petrie for the pilot of the Dick Van Dyke Show who was from the United States of America

Connie Britton (born in 1967) who was born with the name of Constance Womack, and who is an actress from the United States of America

Pamela Britton (1923-1974) who was an actress from the United States of America

John Britton (1771-1857) who was an author, antiquary, and editor from England

Leon James Britton (born in 1982) who is a professional footballer from England

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Quarterly, per fesse indented ar. and sa. in the first quarter a mullet of the last.
2) Ar. a cross crosslet az.