Show ContentsSexton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sexton has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in Saxton, a parish, in the Upper division of the wapentake of Barkstone-Ash in the West Riding of Yorkshire. [1] This place-name was originally derived from the Old English Seaxe + tun, collectively meaning Saxon village. [2] The parish was recorded as Saxtun in the Doomsday Book of 1086. [3]

Another source postulates the name could have originated in Cambridgeshire at Saxton Hall and/or Saxon Street. [4]

The Sexton spelling denotes the office of " 'the sacristan,' now sexton or verger of a church. This, without doubt, has added to the modern directories. Although my instances are few, I suspect it is the parent of many of our Saxtons and Sextons." [5]

"'Sexton', [was] originally 'the officer in a church in charge of the sacred vessels and vestments', not, as now, the grave-digger." [4]

Early Origins of the Sexton family

The surname Sexton was first found in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1208 where Jordan de Saxton was listed in Yorkshire and Simon de Sexton was recorded in Cambridgeshire. William Sextain was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 and Peter Sexten was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327. [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls for 1273 includes an entry for Hugh Sacristan in Kent and the Close Rolls, 7 Edward IV (during the seventh year of King Edward IV's reign) list John Sexteyn. [5]

Back in Yorkshire, we found Johannes de Saxton and Robertus de Saxton listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. [5]

Early History of the Sexton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sexton research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1485, 1537, 1540, 1556, 1610, 1631, 1732, 1773, 1808, 1838 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sexton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sexton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Sexton have been found, including Saxton, Saxon, Sefton, Sephton, Septon, Sexton and others.

Early Notables of the Sexton family

Distinguished members of the family include Nicholas Shaxton (1485?-1556), Bishop of Salisbury, born probably about 1485, a native of the diocese of Norwich. He may have been a younger brother of one Thomas Shaxton of Batheley (or Bale) in Norfolk who, according to one pedigree, died in April 1537. [6]Christopher Saxton (c.1540-1610) of Dewsbury, Yorkshire was a...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sexton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sexton Ranking

In the United States, the name Sexton is the 680th most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. [7]

Ireland Migration of the Sexton family to Ireland

Some of the Sexton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Sexton migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Sexton, or a variant listed above:

Sexton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Sexton, aged 17, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 [8]
  • Giles Sexton, who landed in New England in 1630 [8]
  • Peter Sexton, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [8]
  • Richard Sexton, aged 14, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" [8]
  • John Sexton, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sexton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliza Sexton, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [8]
  • Luke Sexton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 [8]
Sexton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Sexton, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 [8]
  • M Sexton, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 [8]
  • B M Sexton, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [8]
  • Michael Sexton, who landed in Mississippi in 1859 [8]

Canada Sexton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sexton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Michael Sexton, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Sexton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Bridget Sexton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
  • John Sexton, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the barque "Robert Watt" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mr. Michael Sexton, aged 24 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but he died on board [9]
  • Mr. Patrick Sexton, aged 25 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bee" departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but he died on board [9]
  • John Sexton, who arrived in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Sexton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sexton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Sexton, a tailor, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • William Bradshaw Sexton, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Hartley" in 1837 [10]
  • James Sexton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Branken Moor" in 1840 [11]
  • Sarah Sexton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Branken Moor" in 1840 [11]
  • George Sexton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Branken Moor" in 1840 [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Sexton 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:

Sexton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Sexton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Thomas Sexton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jura" in 1861 [12]
  • Mr. Cornelius Sexton, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Victory " arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 17th October 1863 [13]
  • George Sexton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 [14]
  • Ellen Sexton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 [14]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sexton (post 1700) +

  • Michael Richard Sexton (1947-2020), American professional poker player and commentator, member of the Poker Hall of Fame
  • Linwood Bookard "Lin" Sexton (1926-2017), American football halfback who played for the Los Angeles Dons in 1948
  • Major-General William Thaddeus Sexton (1901-1983), American Commanding General 5th Division (1955-1956) [15]
  • Leo Sexton (1908-1968), American 1932 Olympic athlete in the shot put
  • Lee Sexton (b. 1927), American Banjo Player
  • Colleen Sexton, American folk singer and songwriter
  • Chelsea Sexton (b. 1975), American advocate of alternative fuel vehicles
  • Charlie Sexton (b. 1968), American guitarist, singer and songwriter
  • Chad Sexton (b. 1970), American rock drummer
  • Brendan Sexton III (b. 1980), American film actor
  • ... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Sexton +

  • The Sexton Family of Scott County, Tennessee by Robert Lee Bailey.

  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 95)
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARTLEY 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Hartley.htm
  11. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BRANKEN MOOR 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840BrankenMoor.htm
  12. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. Archives New Zealand Micro 5019. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Alfred. Retrieved from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Alfred1864.htm
  15. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) William Sexton. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Sexton/William_Thaddeus/USA.html


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