AYTON FAMILY HISTORY

This page is dedicated to the history of the branch of the Ayton family from Itteringham in North Norfolk.

Robert and Mary Ayton (alternatively recorded as Heyton or Heighteen) had their first son Robert baptised at Blickling, Norfolk on 31st May 1753 and went on to have more children in Whitwell near Reepham over the next 12 years. They appear to have moved to Itteringham where most of their descendants lived for the next 100 years. Branches of the family later moved to North Yorkshire, Durham, West Yorkshire, London and New Zealand. Principal descendant names in addition to Ayton include Broughton, Sanderson, Jeary, Peart, Grimble and Messam. A number of researchers have investigated the history of this branch of the Ayton family over the past 30 years, and a tree of over 950 descendants of Robert and Mary is now in existence. An outline of the top of the tree and the connections of the various researchers is attached. An initial outline of past research and related resources specific to the Itteringham branch, and some thoughts on potential future research projects are also attached, although these remain a work in progress.

This branch of the Aytons did not exist in Itteringham, Plumstead by Holt, Baconsthorpe, Whitwell, Reepham or Themelthorpe before the 1750's, and the search for the origins of Robert Ayton in the surrounding parishes is a matter of ongoing research in which it is hoped that coordination between interested parties can be of help. It is possible that this branch of the Ayton name derives from the local name of Heydon, represented by a notable family at Baconsthorpe from the C13 to C17. Another possibility, given the earliest entries, is of a link to the name Eighteen, discussed on the general Ayton page.

Anyone interested in further details of this branch of the Ayton family, or who is able to provide additional relevant material, is invited to contact the coordinator for this page Ian Hall.