| ![Show Contents]() Axton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of AxtonWhat does the name Axton mean? Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Axton is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the settlement of Axton, in the county of Kent. Early Origins of the Axton familyThe surname Axton was first found in Cheshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. Sometime before the Norman Conquest in 1066 they held a family seat at Ombersley in their mansion Castle known as Acton Hall, in Worcestershire. "Engelard de Acton, of Acton-Pigot and Acton-Burnell, was admitted on the Roll of Guild Merchants of Shrewsbury in 1209. His descendant Edward de Acton, of Aldenham, married the coheiress of L'Strange, living in 1387, and with her acquired an estate in Longnor, in the county. [Shropshire]" 1 Aughton in Lancashire was an ancient family seat. " 'Achetun' was held before the Conquest by Uctred, the Saxon proprietor of Dalton and Skelmersdale; the manor, or parts of it, subsequently came to the families of Acton or Aughton." 2 The parish of Acton-Round in Shropshire was another ancient family seat. "The church is a neat edifice, the walls of which are ornamented with monuments to the memory of the Actons, by one of whom, Sir Richard, the chancel was built in 1761." 2 Another early listing of the name was John Acton (died 1350), an English canon lawyer known for his commentary on the ecclesiastical Constitutions of two papal legates: Cardinal Otto; and Ottobone. Early History of the Axton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Axton research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1305, 1597, 1600, 1621, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1662, 1665, 1677, 1684, 1685, 1689, 1705, 1716, 1721, 1727, 1728 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Axton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Axton Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Axton has been spelled many different ways, including Acton, Ackton, Akton and others. Early Notables of the Axton familyNotables of the family at this time include Sir John de Acton, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1305; John Acton, MP for Droitwich in 1597; Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet (1600-1659), English politician, High Sheriff of Shropshire, a Royalist in the English Civil War; Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (c 1621-1665), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Axton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Axton family to IrelandSome of the Axton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Axton migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Axtons to arrive in North America:
Axton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Rebecca Axton, aged 2, who arrived in America, in 1892
- Walter Axton, aged 24, who arrived in America, in 1896
Axton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Annie Cobb Axton, aged 30, who arrived in America from London, England, in 1911
- Ernest Axton, who arrived in America from Liverpool, England, in 1919
- Henry Axton, aged 21, who arrived in America in 1920
- Matilda Fannie Axton, aged 25, who arrived in America, in 1920
- William Axton, aged 49, who arrived in America, in 1922
| Axton migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Axton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Samuel E. Axton, aged 22, a cooper, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golden Sea" in 1874
| Contemporary Notables of the name Axton (post 1700) | + |
- Chaplain Colonel John Thomas Axton (1870-1934), American Army officer, the First Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army (1920 to 1928)
- Hoyt Wayne Axton (1938-1999), American folk music singer-songwriter, probably best known for his songs "Joy to the World" made famous by the band Three Dog Night and "The Pusher" made famous by Steppenwolf and featured in the movie "Easy Rider"
- Micky Axton (1919-2010), American aviator who was a test pilot during World War II, one of the first of three Women Airforce Service Pilots to be trained as a test pilot
- Estelle Axton (1918-2004), American co-founder, with her brother Jim Stewart, of Stax Records
- Charles "Packy" Axton (1941-1974), American rhythm and blues tenor saxophone player and bandleader
- Mae Boren Axton (1914-1997), American songwriter, known as the "Queen Mother of Nashville," she co-wrote the Elvis Presley hit single "Heartbreak Hotel"
- Woodford F. Axton, American Republican politician, Tobacco business; alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1912 3
- Ian Axton (b. 1970), British television newsreader
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: Vaillance avance l'homme
Motto Translation: Valour advances the man.
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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