This is a Scottish- Irish surname, which may also have some nameholders who derive from the English villages of Templeton in Berkshire and Devon. However it is predominently Scottish, being recorded there before the time of Robert the Bruce. The origination 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. Romantically the name was believed to be of 'Crusader' origins and to describe a place from which came 'a Knight Templar'. This is a pleasant fable which is unlikely to be true. The derivation of the name is from the pre 7th century Olde English 'templ' referring to a pre-Christian place of worship, plus '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'are also recorded. In Ireland the name appears in the mid 17th century and clearly refers to early 'planatation' settlers, John Templeton marrying Mary Higginson at Blaris, County Antrim, on November 2nd 1669. Recordings in England are not found until 1670 when Thomas Templeton married Joan Stripelill (?) at the church of St Bartholomew the Less, London, on November 20th of that year, whilst in Berkshire and Devon the name does not appear to be recorded until 1753 and 1763 respectively. The coat of arms is Scottish and has the blazon of a red field, charged with a silver temple. 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, the rector of Rothesay, Scotland, during the reign of King John (Balliol) of Scotland, 1292 - 1296. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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