The Ricalton Name

The spelling of the surname has varied over time indeed I have found 21 different versions of it. The 17th century spellings invariably ended 'toun(e) e.g. Ricaltoun, Riccaltoun, Rickletoune. The spelling did not appear to become consistent until the middle of the 19th century until schools became more widely available. Previously the spelling depended upon the vicar's or clerk's interpretation of the phonetic pronunciation. George (1773-1848) and Anne Riccaltoun had eleven children who were baptised with three spelling variations of the surname!

       The "Surnames of Scotland" (Black: New York Public Library) states that the name originates from Riccalton near Oxnam in the county of Roxburghshire Scotland. "The Place-Names of Roxburghshire" (J S M Macdonald: Hawick Archaeological Society)  states Ricalton is from the Old English personal name Ricel(a) (the ton suffix meaning place)

       The earliest recordings of the name were Adam de Rukelton of Roxburghshire in 1296, an Alexander Ryklyngtoun was a constable of Dunbar in 1363 and a Thomas of Riklintoune was one of an inquest at Jedburgh in 1464.

       It was to Roxburghshire that my research took me, my earliest ancestor being traced to a son of Robert Rickletoun and Jean Rutherford, who were married at Roxburgh in about 1645, unfortunately the Parish Record is written in Latin so I am unable to confirm the exact date.

   The family were mainly connected with the land either as farmers or shepherds before crossing over the Cheviot Hills to Alwinton in Northumberland in the late 18th century. By the time of the mid 19th century they had migrated from rural Northumberland to the city of Newcastle and the mines in the south east of the county, there were exceptions.

    Robert Riccaltoun 1691-1769 was for 44 years vicar of Hobkirk in Roxburghshire he was followed by his son John as vicar of the parish. Robert befriended and encouraged James Thomson the poet who wrote, among others, the poem "Rule Britannia" His daughter Margaret married William Armstrong the parish schoolmaster, their son Adam was a Maj.Gen. in the service of Alexander l of Russia and his brother Robert became director of imperial mint in St Petersburgh. Another branch of the family emigrated to America. James Ricalton 1844-1929 becoming noted as a photographer and explorer who travelled the world and wrote about his adventures. When he was 65 he walked from Capetown to Cairo. F/O A.L.Ricalton was killed in combat during the Battle of Britain. If you would like any FH details about the name Ricalton I may be able to help (and perhaps you could help me) please e-mail me.

Also Researching

Biggs  Homrough Hereford c1858. Buddle  Burradon Northumberland c1695. Chrisp Warkworth Northld c1735. Cockburn  Whittingham Northld c1855. Curry  New Bewick Northld c1827. Dodds  Chatton Northld c1774. Grocock Leicester c1832. Henderson  Whittingham Northld c1735. Hopkins Ruardean Gloucestershire c1858. Hutchinson  Duns Scotland c1775. Moffatt  Penrith Cumberland c1854. Parkin  South Hetton Durham c 1853. Richardson  Tweedmouth Northld c 1832. Riddell  Upper Witton Roxburghshire c1708. Robson  East Lilburn Northld c1853. Rutherford  Roxburgh Scotland c 1620. Scott  Shilbottle Northld c1808.  Smith Norham Northld c1749. Weallens  Burradon Northld c1703. Winter  Seaton Sluice Northld c1819. 

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