Addington

This is an ancient and noble English surname. Strongly associated with the county of Devon, and also the family surname of the Viscounts Sidmouth, it is locational. It originated from the village of Addington in Berkshire. The place name and hence the later surname translate as "Eada's ton", with Eada being an Olde English personal and tribal name of the pre 7th century, whilst "ton" indicates a settlement or farm. Locational surnames are by their very nature "from" names, which is to say names given to people after they left their original homes, as an easy form of identification. This is an excellent example. It seems that the Addington's of High Bickington in Devonshire moved there in the time of King Henry V111 (1510 - 1547). The family prospered in Devonshire over the centuries, but Henry Addington (1757- 1844), the 1st Lord Sidmouth, who was the Prime Minster from 1799 - 1804 had little direct connection initially with Devon. He was the son of Anthony Addington, (1713 - 1790) whose main claim to fame was that he was doctor to the famous Lord Chatham. Of course not all Addington's are connected with the noble branch. Many settled in London from an early date and recordings include from the surviving registers of the diocese of Greater London include: Johnn Addington whose son, also recorded as Johnn, (so much for spelling) was christened at the famous church of St Dunstans in the East, Stepney, on October 20th 1577, whilst in 1641 Margaret Addington married Christopher Warren at St Margaret's church, Westminster, on November 15th of that year.