Halton Genealogical Records

Halton Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Halton Baptisms (BTs) (1732-1887)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, the primary source for birth documentation before 1837. They may record the date a child was born and/or baptised, their parents' names, occupations, residence and more.

Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts Baptisms (1576-1906)

A searchable database of 964,765 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Diocese of Chester Baptisms (1538-1911)

Digital images of baptism registers that can be searched by name. They record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth, and list the baptised's name, date of birth and/or baptism and parents' names. They may also list where the parents lived, their occupations and occasionally other details.

Cheshire Birth Index (1837-2012)

An index to births registered in Cheshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Halton Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Halton Marriage Records (1732-1910)

Marriage registers record Anglican marriages in Halton. They are the primary marriage document before 1837 and contain the same details as marriage certificates from then on. They typically record residence and marital status, though may contain ages and father's names.

Halton Marriages (BTs) (1732-1748)

Details of those who were married at the church between 1732 and 1748. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Chester Archdeaconry Marriage Bonds (1606-1905)

Digital images of records of licenses to marry in the Archdeaconry. They contain details that may not be found in parish registers, such as age and father's name. The records can be searched by a name index.

Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts Marriages (1576-1906)

A searchable database of over 380,000 marriages, linked to original images of marriage registers. The records may include fathers' names, age, residence, occupations and more.

Halton Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts Burials (1576-1906)

A searchable database of 720,459 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Diocese of Chester Burials (1538-1911)

Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.

Cheshire Death Index (1837-2012)

An index to deaths registered in Cheshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Cheshire Non-Conformist & Catholic Burials (1718-1908)

A database of almost 40,000 burials consecrated outside of the Church of England. Records are linked to digital images of original registers.

Halton Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Cheshire Electoral Registers (1842-1900)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Cheshire Freeholders of 1578 (1578)

A list of freeholders, organised by hundred, in the county of Cheshire. Contains their name, title and description of their estate.

Cheshire Pipe Rolls (1158-1301)

A collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer relating to Cheshire.

Newspapers Covering Halton

Liverpool Evening Express (1914)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Liverpool district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

Liverpool Echo (1879-1918)

A local newspaper including news from the Liverpool area, family announcements, business notices, advertisements, legal & governmental proceedings and more.

Liverpool Courier and Commercial Advertiser (1870)

A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering regional news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Liverpool area.

Bolton Evening News (1869)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Bolton le Moors district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

Bury Times (1858-1867)

A local paper including news from the Bury area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

Halton Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

York Peculiar Probate Records (1383-1883)

Digital images, indexed by testor's name, of 28,716 wills, administrations, inventories and other probate documents. The records can shed light on an individual’s relations, possessions, land holdings, legal agreements and more. They cover various jurisdictions throughout the north of England.

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1688-1858)

An index to 263,822 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, year of probate, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1267-1500)

An index to 10,195 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, occupation, will & probate year, language, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

Chester Probate Registry Probate Images & Index (1858-1911)

A searchable index of testators linked to original wills proved in the civil probate court at Chester. This collection is not limited to residents of Cheshire.

Halton Immigration & Travel Records

Cheshire Poor Law Abstracts (1732-1746)

Abstracts of poor law cases in Cheshire quarter sessions, covering events such as removals, settlement, bastardy and vagrancy.

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

Halton Military Records

Memorials of the Civil War in Cheshire (1642-1651)

A history of the English Civil War from a Cheshire perspective.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Cheshire Workhouse Admissions & Discharges (1781-1911)

An index to over 50,000 records detailing admissions and discharges to government poor houses in Cheshire. The index is linked to digital images of the records, which may record name, birth year, religion, occupation, name of informant and details of admission, death or discharge.

Cheshire Workhouse Creed Records (1872-1911)

Registers recording the admission of over 12,000 people for poor relief in Cheshire. Records include name, birth year, parish, occupation, religion, reason for admission and more.

Cheshire Inquisitions Post Mortem (1603-1660)

Transcripts of records assessing the estates of the monarch's direct tenants. Contains details of estates and families.

Cheshire Pipe Rolls (1158-1301)

A collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer relating to Cheshire.

Cheshire Workhouse Baptisms (1837-1911)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording the baptism of workhouse inmates' children.

Halton Taxation Records

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (1700-1908)

An index to over 2 million names listed in records detailing land ownership and occupation in Cheshire. These records can be used to trace land ownership and succession to leases. Contains digital images of original records.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Halton Land & Property Records

Cheshire Electoral Registers (1842-1900)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Cheshire Land Tax Assessments (1700-1908)

An index to over 2 million names listed in records detailing land ownership and occupation in Cheshire. These records can be used to trace land ownership and succession to leases. Contains digital images of original records.

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

Cheshire Inquisitions Post Mortem (1603-1660)

Transcripts of records assessing the estates of the monarch's direct tenants. Contains details of estates and families.

Halton Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1938)

A directory of the county detailing its history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1934)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1923)

A directory of settlements in Cheshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1923)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1914)

A directory of settlements in Cheshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Halton Cemeteries

Cheshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cheshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Cheshire Monumental Inscriptions (1870-1875)

Transcriptions of several thousand headstones in the county of Cheshire.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Halton Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Halton Histories & Books

Cheshire Image Bank (1800-2000)

A database of over 20,000 images recording places and events in Cheshire. Images can be searched by meta-data.

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Lancashire and Cheshire, Past and Present (370-1867)

A history of two Northern counties from the Germanic invasion to the Victorian period.

Cheshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Cheshire.

Memorials of the Civil War in Cheshire (1642-1651)

A history of the English Civil War from a Cheshire perspective.

Halton School & Education Records

Cheshire School Records Index (1796-1950)

An index to over 400,000 pupils extracted from Cheshire school records. Includes names of parents and residences.

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Halton Occupation & Business Records

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Midlands Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the Midlands region of England.

Lost Pubs of Cheshire (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Halton

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Halton Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Cheshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates (1600-1678)

Transcripts of records that detail the lives and lands of Cheshire and Lancashire landholders.

Cheshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cheshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Halton Church Records

Diocese of Chester Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Digital images of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. The registers can be searched by name and can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Cheshire Workhouse Creed Records (1872-1911)

Registers recording the admission of over 12,000 people for poor relief in Cheshire. Records include name, birth year, parish, occupation, religion, reason for admission and more.

Cheshire Bishop's Transcripts (1598-1900)

An index to over 2 million entries from baptism, marriages and burials sent by parishes to be held by the Bishop of Chester.

Cheshire Clergy List (1541-1542)

A list of 16th century Anglican clergy in the Diocese of Chester.

Cheshire Parish Registers (1538-2000)

An index to entries from Cheshire parish registers; recording over 4 million baptisms, marriages and burials.

Biographical Directories Covering Halton

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Halton Maps

Cheshire Tithe Maps (1836-1854)

Around 500 maps that record land ownership down to individual fields. These are referenced to documents to record landowners, occupiers, field names, land use and rents due.

Maps of Cheshire (1577-1920)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

Cheshire Maps (1571-1831)

A series of maps depicting the county and routes passing through it.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Halton Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Thelwall, anciently a considerable town, founded by Edward the Elder, in the year 920, but now an obscure and small village.

Pursuing our road, about seven miles from the last-mentioned place, we pass through the village of Daresbury, about two miles to the west of which is Halton, or Haulton, formerly a considerable town, with fairs and markets; but it cannot now be deemed more than a large village.

The name is derived from its situation on a high hill; it was part of the barony of Nigel, to whom it was given by Hugh Lupus, his relation and commander, to be held by the service of leading the Cheshire army into Wales, whenever it should be necessary. Nigel was also made the earl’s marshall, and constable of Cheshire. From the posterity of Nigel it came to the crown, and now constitutes a considerable member of the dutchy of Lancaster, having round it a large jurisdiction, called the honour of Halton. In this manor was a custom that if, in driving cattle over the common, the driver suffered them to graze or take a thistle, he should pay a halfpenny per head to the lord of the fee, which was called thistletake.

The manor of Halton had considerable privileges bestowed upon it, and the town was constituted a borough and market town; the castle was a favourite residence of John of Gaunt.

This castle was entirely demolished during the civil wars in the reign of Charles the First, and has ever since remained in ruins. There is however a more modern building, used as an inn, containing a court house, and called a prison, though now never used as such. The Earl of Cholmondeley is proprietor, under the crown.

The prospects from Halton Castle are highly interesting, and it is for them that the place chiefly deserves visiting. Northwards, the river Mersey winding through a fertile plain, may be distinctly traced from the neighbourhood of Warrington, where its breadth is little mere than 100 yards, to its expansion into a wide channel, contracting at Runcorn Gap, and again dilating into the estuary which extends to the sea. Beyond this river the county of Lancaster appears like a vast forest, from the numerous hedge-rows of its inclosures. To the west the view comprehends a large circuit of Cheshire, bounded by the Welsh mountains, and broken at intermediate distances by scattered hamlets and cultivated grounds.

The castle was situated at the west end of the town, and was sometime called Maurice Castle, and latterly was the seat of the Savages, Earls of Rivers; it was burnt down in the year 1652, at the time John Earl Rivers lay dead in the house. In consequence of the fire they removed to Clifton, afterwards called Rock Savage, a mile and a half south-west from Halton.

Rock Savage is now a magnificent pile of ruins, embosomed in wood, and seated on a rising ground above the river Weaver. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth this mansion was the seat of Sir John Savage, by whom it was erected; but by the marriage of Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Richard Savage, Earl. Livers, with James Earl of Barrymore, it was conveyed, together with the estate, into that family. It is now the property of Earl Cholmondeley, who inherited it from his uncle General Cholmondeley, who obtained it in marriage with Lady Penelope Barry, daughter of the above Earl James. After this marriage the place was neglected, and fell so rapidly into, decay that a gentleman, who was born in the house, is recorded to have followed a pack of hounds through it in pursuit of game. Some portion of its stately front, consisting of a fine gateway, with lofty turrets on each side, is still standing, as well as part of one of its sides. The residue of the ruins consists only of foundation walls, broken vaults, and heaps of rubbish, overgrown with weeds. The whole surrounded with inclosures of dilapidated walls." Aikin's Country round Manchester.

The following beautiful lines of Dyer, descriptive of a ruined mansion, apply with peculiar force to these remains:

"Tis now the raven’s bleak abode,

"Tis now the apartment of the toad:

And there the fox securely feeds,

And there the pois’nous adder breeds

Conceal'd in ruins, moss, and weeds,

While ever and anon there falls

Huge heaps of hoary moulder’d walls"

Grongar Hill.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

HALTON (or Haulton) is a township and village and was formed into a parish, including Norton, Stockham, Rock Savage and Astmoor, July 3, 1860, from the civil parish of Runcorn; it is in the Knutsford division of the county, Bucklow hundred, petty sessional division, union and county court district of Runcorn, and in the rural deanery of Frodsham, and archdeaconry and diocese of Chester. Halton village, standing on the top of an eminence commanding a fine view of the rivers Mersey and Weaver, is a mile and a half south-east of Runcorn, and has a station on the London and North Western and Great Western joint railways: the village is lighted with gas and supplied with water from works at Runcorn. The church of St. Mary the Virgin, standing on an eminence, is a building of red sandstone in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave, of four bays, aisles, south porch and a turret on the eastern gable of the nave containing one bell: there are 415 sittings, of which 164 are free. The registers date from the year 1732. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value, £200, with 80 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Sir R. Marcus Brooke bart. and held since 1888 by the Rev. George Daniel Wray M.A. of Jesus College, Cambridge. The Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1877, at the cost of the late Thomas Hazlehurst esq. is a building of stone in the Gothic style, and has a tower with spire: it affords 300 sittings. A cemetery of one acre was formed in 1885 at a cost of £500, and is under the control of the parish council. Brooke’s almshouses, founded in 1769 and endowed with £54 12s. yearly, are for six poor and decayed honest servants; each inmate receives 4s. weekly. Fairs and markets were formerly held here. The charities for distribution in fuel and money amount to £36 yearly, and there is also a sum of £11, for the support and repair of the library founded here in 1733 by Sir John Chesshyre kt. of Hailwood, first serjeant-at-law to George H. ob. 15 May, 1738, and buried in Runcorn church, where there is a monument: the library house is a small detached building, and over the entrance is an inscription recording the foundation and the appointment of the curate as perpetual librarian. Halton Castle, now, and for a long period in ruins, was, built A.D. 1071 by Hugh de Abrincis, surnamed “Lupus,” first palatine Earl of Chester: it subsequently became the property of the Crown, in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, which has still a large jurisdiction in the country included in Halton Fee, or the honor of Halton, and maintains a court of record. At the Castle inn, which stands within the ruins, courts leet have been held annually for over 700 years; attached to the inn is a good bowling green. Sir Richard Marcus Brooke bart. of Norton Priory, is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The population of the township in 1891 was 1,555 and the acreage is 1,851 of land, 19 of water and 233 of foreshore; the rateable value, £6,054. The soil is clayey, resting on rock. The area of the parish is 5,101 acres; rateable value, £18,180; the population in 1891 was 2,647.

By Local Government Board Order 15,915 (24 March, 1884) and by the provisions of the Divided Parishes Act, 1882, part of Halton has been transferred to Runcorn.

Grammar School, founded by an unknown benefactor & endowed with about £40 yearly from various charities: the school will hold 200 boys; average attendance, 121; 105 boys are educated free: there is a house for the master: the school is under the control of the vicar of Runcorn and Sir R. M. Brooke bart. as trustees, the appointment of the master being vested in the latter.

Parochial School, for 170 children; average attendance, 134.

Kelly's Directory of Cheshire (1896)

Most Common Surnames in Halton

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Bucklow Hundred
1Booth231:630.87%16
1Houghton231:633.89%179
3Hughes221:650.61%9
3Dunbebbin221:65100.00%3,101
5Haddock211:6911.60%687
6Boden181:806.27%435
7Johnson171:850.41%6
7Shaw171:850.65%17
7Tomlinson171:851.90%98
7Leathwood171:8528.33%1,594
11Miller161:901.76%95
11Wilkinson161:900.85%28
11Faulkner161:902.24%132
14Dale151:961.19%54
14Barrow151:964.13%329
14Ashley151:963.36%256
17Jones141:1030.13%1
18Richardson131:1111.35%85
18Barker131:1111.41%93
18Hayes131:1111.71%121
18Knowles131:1111.46%99
22Clare121:1203.48%359
22Rawlinson121:1206.15%638
24Davies111:1310.19%3
24Wilson111:1310.54%25
24Humphreys111:1313.28%366
24Beech111:1312.17%219
28Wright101:1440.33%13
28Rigby101:1441.69%181
28Lightfoot101:1441.33%125
28Rogerson101:1442.98%364
28Watkin101:14414.08%1,415
28Looker101:14476.92%4,418
28Kenwright101:14433.33%2,534
28Hassale101:14476.92%4,418
36Walker91:1600.31%14
36Turner91:1600.46%27
36Dixon91:1601.69%210
36Howard91:1600.81%64
36Sinclair91:1606.52%876
36Finch91:16010.84%1,278
36Buxton91:1603.96%542
36Acton91:1602.80%384
36Gamell91:160100.00%5,652
45Edwards81:1800.35%20
45Saunders81:1804.23%657
45Woods81:1801.90%277
45Rowe81:1803.05%472
45Collier81:1801.93%284
45Pollard81:1804.60%722
45Dutton81:1800.48%34
45Worrall81:1801.34%174
45Carman81:18011.11%1,401
45Sandbach81:1803.54%548
45Hanky81:18066.67%4,659
56Williams71:2060.12%4
56Brown71:2060.22%12
56Campbell71:2061.78%300
56Griffiths71:2060.47%42
56Murphy71:2061.03%144
56Lowe71:2060.60%59
56Gregory71:2060.90%117
56Watkins71:2065.98%994
56Potter71:2062.14%375
56Fowler71:2063.65%649
56Lambert71:2063.29%582
56Forster71:2061.13%163
56Gee71:2061.11%156
56Peck71:20614.89%1,896
56Pennington71:2062.32%410
56Dugdale71:2066.73%1,089
56Pendlebury71:2068.43%1,278
56Astbury71:2062.02%354
56Bradburn71:2063.32%589
56Bratt71:2063.23%571
56Temperley71:20670.00%5,247
56Woodier71:20611.86%1,609
56Heesom71:20612.07%1,642
79Smith61:2400.08%2
79Clarke61:2400.25%18
79Bell61:2400.68%103
79Simpson61:2400.62%84
79Dawson61:2400.60%80
79Barrett61:2403.66%754
79Hancock61:2400.94%154
79Stokes61:2402.55%523
79Leach61:2401.99%410
79Bate61:2401.39%266
79Rutter61:2401.53%301
79Percival61:2400.92%149
79Grice61:2403.21%664
79Moores61:2400.97%168
79Povey61:2403.82%784
79Newport61:2405.71%1,084
79Allman61:2401.60%317
79Hopley61:2402.07%429
79Withington61:2408.11%1,373
79Hignett61:2402.74%562
79Whitlow61:2403.09%643
79Chrimes61:2406.59%1,202
79Blinston61:24018.18%2,384
79Manslow61:24075.00%6,184
103Moore51:2880.35%44
103Lee51:2880.35%43
103Newton51:2880.39%53
103Parry51:2880.54%94
103Kay51:2881.03%229
103Preston51:2880.90%197
103Burrows51:2880.84%175
103Horton51:2881.36%324
103Bradbury51:2880.60%108
103Stringer51:2881.98%488
103Fryer51:2882.07%512
103Atherton51:2880.85%180
103Wakefield51:2881.37%327
103Horrocks51:2883.91%930
103Snape51:2882.69%669
103Hassall51:2881.07%245
103Whitney51:2884.10%966
103Eccleston51:2886.67%1,365
103Bold51:28813.16%2,216
103Skelding51:28883.33%7,751
103Duncalf51:2884.10%966
103Worral51:2887.58%1,493
103Hiznek51:288100.00%8,877
126Taylor41:3600.08%5
126West41:3601.39%433
126McLeod41:3605.88%1,463
126Hargreaves41:3601.70%523
126Bradshaw41:3600.70%189
126Manning41:3601.83%564
126Whitaker41:3603.36%986
126Chamberlain41:3604.60%1,237
126Stubbs41:3600.38%72
126Vickers41:3600.85%240
126Guest41:3601.54%475
126Ray41:3602.56%789
126Thomason41:3601.79%556
126Lowndes41:3602.26%710
126Salkeld41:36016.00%2,863
126Helsby41:3605.48%1,393
126Brimelow41:36014.29%2,653
126Hazelhurst41:3608.00%1,814
126Crute41:360100.00%10,238
126Didsbury41:3605.13%1,337
126Ormson41:3607.69%1,766
126Skulley41:360100.00%10,238
126Rehberg41:360100.00%10,238
149Roberts31:4800.08%8
149Ward31:4800.27%67
149Cook31:4800.38%113
149Palmer31:4801.44%602
149Ball31:4800.37%110
149Walton31:4800.32%92
149Burgess31:4800.14%23
149Haynes31:4802.56%994
149Griffith31:4800.48%159
149Edge31:4800.43%139
149Fellows31:4803.66%1,295
149Greenway31:4802.11%855
149Jukes31:4807.32%2,098
149Speakman31:4802.27%912
149Reade31:4801.68%700
149Corker31:4802.34%930
149Wylde31:4803.70%1,307
149Furnival31:4803.19%1,174
149Gamon31:48018.75%3,831
149Santley31:4809.68%2,491
149Shoreman31:480100.00%11,872
149Tuncliffe31:48060.00%8,877
149Blundale31:480100.00%11,872
149Hillcross31:480100.00%11,872
173Thompson21:7200.11%31
173Jackson21:7200.05%7
173Baker21:7200.20%76
173James21:7200.47%274
173Ellis21:7200.18%60
173Riley21:7200.22%99
173Armstrong21:7200.57%348
173Buckley21:7200.12%37
173Woodward21:7200.29%140
173Parkinson21:7200.58%354
173Norris21:7201.11%693
173Welch21:7200.58%354
173Daniels21:7200.47%268
173Nixon21:7200.34%183
173Underwood21:7203.70%1,728
173Bateman21:7200.97%611
173Goodall21:7201.49%899
173Rushton21:7201.04%645
173Plant21:7200.37%199
173Handley21:7201.45%876
173Withers21:7204.26%1,896
173Millington21:7200.41%226
173Partington21:7200.76%472
173Sweeney21:7201.55%924
173Carruthers21:7204.65%2,043
173Hand21:7201.52%912
173Travis21:7200.67%418
173Foulkes21:7200.93%579
173Keenan21:7203.28%1,577
173Poulton21:72050.00%10,238
173Hinds21:7204.55%2,001
173Kinsey21:7200.62%380
173Summerfield21:7201.72%1,000
173Bosworth21:7207.41%2,729
173Rowles21:7204.44%1,967
173Parson21:72028.57%6,868
173Rowlinson21:7201.12%708
173Clucas21:7205.13%2,180
173Stretch21:7201.23%756
173Prescot21:72025.00%6,184
173Weedall21:7201.60%951
173Edgerley21:7206.06%2,384
173Brueton21:720100.00%13,528
173Drydale21:720100.00%13,528
173Simner21:72050.00%10,238
173Tomason21:720100.00%13,528
173Cotrill21:720100.00%13,528
173Hildage21:720100.00%13,528