Recorded as Templeton, Tamperton and Temperton, this is an Anglo-Scottish surname. It however predominently Scottish, being recorded there before the time of Robert the Bruce (1306 - 1329) . The origination if Scottish is from the village of Templeton in Ayrshire, and it is in the counties of Ayr and Lanark that the name is most predominently recorded. In England it is from Templeton in Berkshire and Devonl. Romantically the surname was believed to be of 'Crusader' origins and to describe a place from which came a 'Knight Templar'. This is a pleasant fable, but the true derivation is from the pre 7th century Olde English word 'tempel' referring to a pre-Christian place of worship, and 'tun', a village or homestead. Amongst the early recordings is that of Gilbert de Templeton of Ayr, who rendered homage to the Scottish Interregnum Goverment of 1296 in return for his land charter. Slightly later in 1306 Jacobus de Templetone, also of Ayr and Johne Tempiltoun of 'Are' is also recorded. Recordings in England include Thomas Templeton married Joan Stripelill (?) at the church of St Bartholomew the Less, city of London, on November 20th 1670, and Joseph Temperton who married Anne Dobson at St Katherine by the Tower (of London) on December 26th 1728. The coat of arms has the blazon of a red field, charged with a silver temple,and on a black chief, a gold star. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbertus de Tempilton, which was dated 1295. He was the rector of Rothesay, Scotland, during the reign of John Balliol of Scotland, 1292 - 1296. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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