Hampton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Hampton

What does the name Hampton mean?

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Hampton is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the village of Hampton in the dioceses of Worcester, Hereford, London, Exeter, and Lichford. 1 Another source notes "there are at least thirteen parishes of this name in England, representing the the Dioceses of Worcester, London, Hereford, Oxford, Exeter, and Lichfield." 2

The family may have originated in Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists: William de Hantona, Normandy, 1198 and William, Aelis, Gervase, Osbert, Walter de Hantona, Normandy, 1180-98. Alexander, Reiner, Roger, Simon de Hamton, England, 1198. 3

Early Origins of the Hampton family

The surname Hampton was first found in Staffordshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at Wolverhampton with manor and estates in that shire. However, the name has three distinct origins: from the Old English word ham-tun as in "home farm, homestead"; from the Old English words hamm + tun, meaning "farmstead in an enclosure or river bend"; and finally from the Old English hean + tun meaning "high farmstead." 4

The earliest place name found was Hamtona in 716 which later became Hampton Lovett which is now a village and civil parish in the Wychavon district of the county of Worcestershire. The Domesday Book listed the following place names: Hamtune, Hantone, Hamntone Hantune, Hantone and Hantun. 4

The first record of the family was found in Oxfordshire where the Cartulary of Osney Abbey lists Philip de Hamtona in 1166. Later, Edith de Hampton was listed in the Assize Rolls for Worcestershire in 1221 and Richard Hampton was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 5

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had quite a few listings of the family: John de Hampton, Somerset; William de Hamptone, Huntingdonshire; Nicholas de Hampton, Wiltshire; Philip de Hampton, Cambridgeshire; and Geoffrey de Hampton, Lincolnshire. 2

But another source claims the name goes back to Saxon times. "Some Hamptons (e.g. in cos. Hereford and Somerset) occur in charters of the A.- Saxon period as Hamtún and Homtún; others (e.g. in cos. Gloucester and Warwick) as Heámtúne or Heántúne. Southampton occurs as Hamtún ('æt Hamtúne') in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 837, which gives name to Hampshire. Some Hamptons (e.g. High Hampton, Devonshire, and Hampton-on-the-Hill, Warwickshire) indicate their etymology by later prefixes or suffixes." 6

In Scotland, the name is "from one of the many Hamptons in England. Bardsley says there are at least thirteen parishes of the name there Rogerus de Hamtone witnessed resignation of the lands of Edeluestun to the church of Glasgow, 1233." 7

The Hamptons, part of the East End of Long Island in New York are a group of villages and hamlets in the towns of Southampton and East Hampton that collectively date back to the late nineteenth century when the area changed from a farming to a popular destination for the wealthy.

Early History of the Hampton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hampton research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1221, 1327, 1552, 1611, 1612, 1625 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hampton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hampton Spelling Variations

The 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. Hampton has been spelled many different ways, including Hampton, Hamptonne and others.

Early Notables of the Hampton family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Christopher Hampton (1552-1625), Archbishop of Armagh, called John in the printed Patent Rolls, was born at Calais in 1552, and was of English descent, educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. O...
but Hampton acted on this occasion as moderator of the divinity disputations, and not as vice-chancellor. " 8

Hampton Ranking

In the United States, the name Hampton is the 380^th most popular surname with an estimated 72,123 people with that name. 9 However, in New Zealand, the name Hampton is ranked the 614^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,163 people with that name. 10

Migration of the Hampton family to Ireland

Some of the Hampton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hampton 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 Hamptons to arrive in North America:

Hampton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Hampton, aged 50 who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 11
Joane Hampton, aged 25 who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Abigaile" 12
William Hampton, aged 34, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 12
John Hampton, who landed in Virginia in 1623 12
William Hampton, who landed in Virginia in 1627 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hampton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Esther Hampton, who landed in America in 1733 12

Hampton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christopher Hampton, who arrived in New York in 1824 12
H A Hampton, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 12
Mr. Richard Hampton, (b. 1864), aged 35, Cornish blacksmith travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th May 1899 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13

Hampton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas Hampton, (b. 1891), aged 10, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd November 1901 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
Mrs. Mary Hampton, (b. 1893), aged 8, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd November 1901 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
Mr. Edward (Edward) Hampton, (b. 1889), aged 12, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd November 1901 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
Mrs. Grace Hampton, (b. 1855), aged 46, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd November 1901 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
Mr. Henry Hampton, (b. 1895), aged 6, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd November 1901 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hampton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hampton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Abner Hampton U.E., "Hamton" born in Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Loyalist Agreement 14
Mr. Andrew Hampton U.E., "Hamton" who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Loyalist Agreement 14

Hampton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robert Hampton was a grand juror of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1811 15
James Hampton was a planter in Bonavista, Newfoundland in 1823
James Hampton, who arrived in Canada in 1828
William Hampton, who settled in Port de Grave Parish, Newfoundland in 1829 15
Edward Hampton, aged 21, a gentleman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Perceval" from Plymouth, England
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hampton migration to Australia +

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

Hampton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Hampton, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
John Hampton, a carpenter, who arrived in Van Diemenâ€™s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. Joseph Hampton, (b. 1808), aged 20, English labourer who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1873 17
Miss Elizabeth Hampton, (Delaney), (b. 1797), aged 32, Irish needle woman who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Edward" on 1st January 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1830 18
James Hampton, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hampton 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:

Hampton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. R. Hampton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gipsey" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th October 1854, en-route to Wellington 20
Mrs. Hampton, British settler travelling from London with 4 children aboard the ship "Gipsey" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th October 1854, en-route to Wellington 20
Robert Hampton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mermaid" in 1859 21
Mr. David Hampton, (b. 1829), aged 30, Irish agricultural labourer from County Down travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Victory " arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th May 1859 22
Mrs. Elizabeth Hampton, (b. 1830), aged 29, Irish settler from County Down travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Victory " arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th May 1859 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hampton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Hampton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Anne Hampton, who settled in Barbados in 1697

Contemporary Notables of the name Hampton (post 1700) +

Locksley Wellington "Slide" Hampton (1932-2021), American Grammy Award winning jazz trombonist, composer and arranger
James Wade Hampton (1936-2021), American actor, television director, and screenwriter, best known for his role such as Private Hannibal Shirley Dobbs on F Troop (1965-1967), and as Leroy B. Simpson on The Doris Day Show (1968-1969)
Wade Hampton III (1818-1902), American Civil War soldier and politician; elected Governor and Senator of South Carolina, opponent of Reconstruction
Wade Hampton II (1791-1858), American plantation owner and soldier in War of 1812
Ruth Hampton, American Dept. of the Interior member of the USAS Executive Committee in 1940, eponym of Mount Hampton, Antarctica
Daniel Oliver Hampton (b. 1957), nicknamed "Danimal", American retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle
Lorenzo Timothy Hampton (b. 1962), former American college and NFL professional football running back
Bruce Hampton (b. 1947), born Gustav Valentine Berglund III, American surrealist musician
Wade Hampton I (1752-1835), American plantation owner and politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina (1795-1797) and (1803-1805)
Jamie Lee Hampton (b. 1990), American professional tennis player
... (Another 69 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hampton family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. William Joseph Hampton (d. 1914), British Junior 2nd Engineer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24

USS Arizona

Mr. Walter Lewis Hampton, American Boatswain's Mate Second Class from Pennsylvania, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25
Mr. J D Hampton, American Fireman First Class from Kansas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25
Mr. Ted W Hampton Jr., American Seaman First Class from Oklahoma, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html