Last name: Arrington

Recorded as Arrington and Arington, this is a rare English locational surname. Not to be confused with the almost similar although usually Irish surname Harrington, it either originates from the village of Arrington, near Royston, in the county of Cambridgeshire, or just possibly from a now 'lost' medieval village of the same or similar spelling. The meaning is probably tribal, and Old English or Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century. The derivation would seem to be from -tun meaning place of the (possibly) acer people (-ing-), with acer meaning arable, and hence describing a community of farmers. This is conjecture, but the situation of Arrington village in one of the best farming areas of England, would suggest a close connection with agriculture. Surprisingly the name is well recorded in Cambridgeshire from a very early date for church recordings. These were thought to commence in the city of London from about 1535 in the reign of King Henry V111th (1510 - 1547), and over the next two centuries spread out across most of England and Scotland, and ultimately Wales. However the first Arrington recordings predate London by some years with examples such as Margareta Arrington who married Randulus Pate at Elsworth, Cambridge in 1529, although we do not have the precise date. The first local recording to have a full date is that of Thomas Arrington who married Amicia Shingleton on April 7th 1583 at St Botolphs church, Cambridge. Given these recording dates we were not surprised to find a raft of recordings in London commencing in 1574. The first was on Octber 19th of that year being John Arington as spelt, who married Margaret Grynne at St Dunstans, Stepney, a church which regularly played host to newcomers to the city. No doubt there is much more to be discovered about this name and its name holders.

Visitor Comments

John Mitchell Arrington
There seems to be a running debate as to whether or not the immediate source of the American Arrington name is Arrington, England. To believe this is an oversimplification. Common sense must come into play. It is likely that one or two Arrington families probably sailed to Virginia between 1625 and 1653 (dated by Thomas Arrington, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1653 and Jamestown, 1607). They had lived somewhere in England but not necessarily the township of Arrington. The Arrington surname developed in the middle ages through the normal English process. For example, a Thomas, who might have lived in the commumity identified as Arr-ing-ton, became known as Thomas de Arrington; i.e., Thomas of Arrington. Later, the "of" would have been dropped and he became Thomas Arrington. The geographic source and identification of the name occurred much earlier than the 1600's. The Arringtons would have started in a place associated with their surname, but some would likely have migrated throughout England. The decendents of a Thomas, who might have come to America, could just as well have lived in Surrey or Northumberland or any other English community. Wherever they lived, they would have still been thought of as Thomas of Arrington. John Mitchell Arrington, retired Great, great, great, great grandson of John (Jack) Arrington, born 1792 in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Wanda Arrington Akorede
We are also Arrington. I have been searching for my ancestors for many years and decided to research the sur names of my ancestors. My father is John Arrington, who was named after my great grand father John Arrington, and so on.

Lydia Arrington
I'm a high school student researching my name for an English project. My father is Jack Arrington named for his father Jackie. My great grandfather, Smith Arrington, is from Bee, Virginia. Any more info would be welcome.

Adam Arrington
I am Adam Arrington, my fathers name is Bruce Arrington. I am curious about where the surname come from