Lenton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Lenton Origin:

England, Scotland

Origins of Lenton:

It is a very early English geographical surname and acquires from the places called Lenton, one in Lincolnshire and the other in Nottinghamshire. The latter noted as “Lavintone” in the Domesday Book of 1086 and means “Leofa’s village” acquired from the Olde English pre 7th Century particular name “Leofa,” which means “dear, or darling” and “tun,” which means a settlement, or hamlet. Lenton in Nottinghamshire means “the hamlet on the River Leen,” the river name being acquired from the root “lei” which means to flow. An interesting ancestor of the surname was John Leynton (1455 – 1505) who described the Borough of Cambridge in the Parliaments of 1489 – 1490 and 1491 – 1492 during the rule of King Henry VII. He was the first Recorder of Cambridge in 1494. This same seat was later to be held by Oliver Cromwell in 1640. Other examples of the surname documentations contain as Alice Lenton, the daughter of Michael Lenton, named at the parish of St Mary Aldermanbury, London, in January 1566, while in 1584, Arms given to the Lentons of Aldwinkle in Northants. These have the blazon of a silver field, a curve between two gold dolphins embowed.

Variations:

More common variations are: Leneton, Leniton, Lentoni, Leonton, Lenaton, Leynton, Lentony, Lewinton, Lentton, Leyniton

England:

The surname Lenton first appeared in East Lothian, Scotland, where East Linton was located on the River Tyne, near Haddington. West Linton is a hamlet in the Scottish Borders, (previously in Peeblesshire) not far from East Linton. There is also a Linton found in Orkneys. One of the first documents of the name was Gamel de Lintun who observed a charter by Ernaldus, priest St. Andrews (c. 1160-62.) Magister Roberts de Linton was Minister of Kylelan.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Gilbertus de Lenton, dated about 1169, in the “Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire.” It was during the time of King Henry II who was known to be the “The Builder of Churches,” dated 1154 – 1189. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Lenton had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Some of the people with the name Lenton who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Anth Lenton, who came to Virginia in 1637. William Lenton, who landed in Virginia in 1654. Ann Lenton, who landed in Virginia in 1657.

Canada:

People with the surname Lenton settled in Canada in two different centuries respectively in the 18th and 19th Some of the individuals with the surname Lenton who came to Canada in the 18th century included James Lenton, aged 40, a farmer, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in 1833. William Lenton at the age of 36, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in 1833. Peggy Lenton at the age of 36, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in 1833. Rosean Lenton, aged 13, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in 1833. Thomas Lenton also arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in the same year 1833.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Lenton: England 2,130; United States 787; Australia 743; Canada 343; South Africa 310; Argentina 149; Scotland 131; Wales 90; New Zealand 73; Denmark 20

Notable People:

Alan Lenton was a designer and programmer of Federation II online text-based game.

Arturo Lang-Lenton (born 1949), is a Spanish swimmer.

Henry Trevor Lenton (1924–2009), was an English naval recorder.

John Lenton (1657–1719), was an English writer, violinist, and musician.

Libby Lenton (born 1985), is a world record holding and Olympic gold medalist swimmer from Australia.

Lilian Lenton (1891–1972), was an English dancer, suffragist, criminal, awarded a French Red Cross medal for actions in WWI.

William Lenton was an Australian rugby league player.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (co. Buckingham, and Aldwinkle, co. Northampton; granted 21 March, 1584). Az. a bend erm. betw. two dolphins embowed and bendways or. Crest—A tiger’s head erased az. tufted, armed, collared, and ringed or.
2) (Fun. Ent. Ulster’s Office, 1623, Edward Lenton, Esq., of Kilmainham, Provost-Marshal of Ireland). Az. a bend erm. betw. two dolphins embowed bendways or.