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Show ContentsEyston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Eyston Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Eyston

What does the name Eyston mean?

in parishes by the name of Easton in Suffolk, Wiltshire, Essex, Somerset and Leicester. 1

Early Origins of the Eyston family

The surname Eyston was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very early times. The name was derived from the practice of the naming of the east "ton" or part of the village. It first appeared in the Domesday Book in Norfolk and Lincolnshire in the year 1086 A.D as Edstan and Estan. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had the following three entries for the family: Alan de Eston, Oxfordshire; Ranulph de Eston, Huntingdonshire; and Geoffrey de Eston, Norfolk. 3 Walter de Eston, was vicar of Tyrington, Norfolk, c. 1460. 4

In Somerset, the first record of the family was Philip atte Estone, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

Again in Somerset, the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 listed Philip atte Estone as holding lands there at that time. 6

Adam Easton (d. 1397), was an early English cardinal, "born of humble parentage, perhaps at Easton, six or seven miles north-west of Norwich, at which city he entered the Benedictine order. He studied at Oxford, became doctor in theology, and was famous for his attainments both in Greek and Hebrew." 7

Further to the north in Scotland, the family is "probably from Easton near Dolphinton, Peeblesshire. There is another Easton near Bathgate, West Lothian. Johannes de Eistoun witnessed a charter by Petrus de Morthingtoun at Lamhertoun, c. 1270. " 8

Early History of the Eyston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eyston research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1270, 1273, 1570, 1593, 1602, 1611, 1612, 1614, 1620, 1624, 1628, 1634, 1663, 1667, 1675, 1690, 1695, 1705, 1709 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Eyston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eyston Spelling Variations

Although the name, Eyston, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Easton, Eastone, Eastown, Eastton, Eastoun, Eastowne, Easttone and many more.

Early Notables of the Eyston family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Nicholas Easton (c. 1593-1675), English settler to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634, an early colonial President and Governor of Rhode Island; John Easton (1624-1705), 15th Governor of the Colony...
  • Bernard Eyston (1628-1709), was a Franciscan friar, called in religion Bernard à Sancto Francisco, was a younger son of William Eyston, esq., of East Hendred, Berkshire
  • Charles Eyston (1667-1721), was an English antiquary, eldest son of George Eyston, esq., of East Hendred, Berkshire. 7

Migration of the Eyston family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Eyston family name Eyston, or who bore a variation of the surname were Nicholas Easton who purchased land in New England in 1620; and William Easton who landed in Virginia in 1663; Mrs. Easton settled in Massachusetts in 1633.
  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  8. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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