Spreyton Genealogical Records

Spreyton 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.

Spreyton Baptisms (1563-1931)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, essentially recording births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.

Devon Baptisms (1444-1915)

A searchable database of 2,225,292 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Devon Baptism Index (1813-1839)

Transcriptions of over 360,000 baptisms from most parishes in the county. Records include parents name and abode.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Spreyton 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.

Spreyton Banns (1754-1915)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence.

Spreyton Marriages (1563-1915)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. They may list residence, marital status, witnesses and more.

Devon Marriages (1446-2002)

A searchable database of 1,871,561 records, linked to original images of marriage registers. The records may include fathers' names, age, residence, occupations and more.

Devon Marriage Index (1754-1837)

Transcriptions of over 270,000 marriages from most parishes in the county.

Spreyton 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.

Spreyton Burials (1563-1915)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Devon Burials (1320-1988)

A searchable database of 1,666,144 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Devon Burials Index (1813-1837)

Transcriptions of over 225,000 burials from most parishes in the county. Induces the deceased's age.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Spreyton 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.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Newspapers Covering Spreyton

Exeter Flying Post (1800-1900)

A conservative newspaper covering business, family, legal and other news in the Exeter district.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams (1869-1870)

A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (1827-1950)

Original images of a regional newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the Devon area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.

Spreyton 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.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Exeter Diocese & Archdeaconry Probate & Admons (1540-1799)

An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.

Devon Probate Index (1190-1980)

An index to over 300,000 Devon wills, admons and inventories from 550 sources. Index contains name, abode, occupation, type of document, year of probate, court, notes and document reference.

Spreyton Immigration & Travel Records

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Settlement & Removal in Rural Devon (1662-1871)

A lengthy article detailing the practice of moving the needy poor between parishes. Contains examples of settlements, removals and examinations.

Sinking of the John (1855)

The story of a ship heading to Quebec from Plymouth that sank off the coast of Cornwall, killing 194 passengers. Includes information on the crew, passengers and others connected with the event.

North Devon Exodus (1818-1868)

An overview of emigration from north Devon to the Americas, with particulars of some who made the journey.

Prisoners in Devon Quarter Sessions (1655-1837)

A calendar of prisoners brought before the quarter sessions, with details of their crime and punishment. Contains entries for individuals who were transported.

Spreyton Military Records

Devon Militia and Volunteer Lists (1799-1825)

Various military lists published in the Exeter Flying Post, particularly lists of deserters, which may list age and physical description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Devon WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Swansea-Devonian War Memorial (1914-1945)

Names from a presumably predominately Devonian war memorial in the former Bible Christian church at Swansea.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon & Exeter Oath Rolls (1723)

Transcriptions of documents listing those who swore loyalty to King George I after the Jacobite Atterbury Plot.

Indictable Offenses in Devon Quarter Sessions (1745-1782)

A calendar of cases to be heard before the quarter session that are indictable by nature,.

Cursers & Badgers in Devon Quarter Sessions (1729-1745)

Two calendars, one of those licensed to carry out trade and the other those brought before the session for cursing.

Spreyton Taxation Records

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

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.

Spreyton Land & Property Records

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Spreyton Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Devon (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 Devon (1919)

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 Devon (1914)

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

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1910)

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

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.

Spreyton Cemeteries

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

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

Devon Headstones (1780-2000)

Memorials of a select number of headstones in Devon.

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.

Spreyton 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.

Spreyton Histories & Books

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Magna Britannia: Devonshire (1066-1822)

A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.

The History of Devon (44-Present)

Numerous articles covering the history of the country, its principle settlements, notable persons, castles and more.

Devon in 1850 (1850)

A detailed overview of Devon in 1850, extracted from a directory of that year.

Spreyton School & Education Records

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.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Spreyton Occupation & Business Records

Women in Cornwall & Devon Mines (1770-1920)

Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1847-1859)

Lists of gamekeepers from the North Devon Journal.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1834-1860)

Lists of gamekeepers from the The Western Times.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1800-1859)

A series of newspaper articles listing gamekeepers in Devon.

Devon Runaway Apprentices (1800-1889)

Transcripts of newspaper articles listing the particulars of apprentices who absconded from their master.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Spreyton

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.

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

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

Spreyton Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitations of Devon: 1531, 1564 & 1620 (1000-1620)

Three works compiled from 16th and 17th century sources that record Devon families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.

Devonshire Ignobles (1620)

A list of men found by William Camden to have unsubstantiated claims to coats of arms.

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Devon'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.

Spreyton Church Records

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Devon Parish Registers (1754-1839)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Devon are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Episcopal Visitation Returns (1744-1779)

A series of questionnaires detailing the ecclesiastical predicament of around 250 parishes in Devon.

St Paul's Rebuilding Returns from Devon (1678)

A transcript of documents recording those who contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Westcountry Preachers (1815-1907)

A history of the Bible Christians, a denomination of Methodists, in Devon and Cornwall.

Biographical Directories Covering Spreyton

Devonshire Characters and Strange Events (1550-1904)

A series of folk tales and detailed biographies of Devonshire men and women.

The Worthies of Devon (1066-1700)

Biographies of notable Devonians from the Norman period up to the end of the 17th century.

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.

Spreyton Maps

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

East Devon Tithe Maps (1840)

Maps delineating fields, forests and other land plots in east Devon. Apportionments not included.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Maps of Devon (1563-1922)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

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

Spreyton Reference Works

Devon Surnames (1086-1967)

A series of articles on Devon surnames, including a dictionary of Devon surname definitions.

Locating Devon Wills (1400-Present)

A guide to locating Devon wills in light of losses incurred during World War II.

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.

Historical Description

SPREYTON is a parish and village, between the rivers reign and Taw, 3 miles south-west-by-south from Bow and 5 miles south-east from North Tawton stations on the main line of the London and South Western railway and 8 east from Okehampton, in the Mid division of the county, Wonford hundred, Crockcrnwell petty sessional division, Okehampton union and county court district, and in the rural deanery of Okehampton, archdeaconry of Totnes and diocese of Exeter. The river Yeo rises in this parish. The church of St. Michael, anciently belonging to Cowick Priory, near Exeter, is a plain building of stone of the Perpendicular period, erected in the time of Henry VI. and consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, separated from the nave by an arcade of five arches, south porch and a lofty embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing 5 bells, dated respectively 1733, 1678, 1837, 1650 and 1726: the timber roof bears a long inscription in Latin by Henry le Mayne, priest and vicar of Spreyton, who erected the roof in 1451: in the church are memorials to Thomas Hore esq. of Lympton, 1746, and John Cann, gent. 1767: the remarkably fine screen once here was removed in 1758: there are 220 sittings: at one end of the churchyard is a lych gate, opening to a fine avenue of limes. The register dates from the year 1563. The living is a vicarage, with 89 acres of glebe, net yearly value £143, with residence, in the gift of the Rev. William Blake Doveton M.A. vicar of Corston, and vicar here 1857—62, and held since 1885 by the Rev. Henry Pearce Knapton M.A. of Queens’ College, Cambridge, who is also rector of the adjoining parish of Hittesleigh. Here is a Bible Christian chapel, erected in 1880, and seating 100 people. The charities, of £11 4s. yearly value, are distributed to the poor yearly at Lady Day. Coffins is the seat of George Lambert esq. M.P., J.P. The manor belonged in the reign of Henry II. to the Talbots, and was conveyed by their heir in the reign of Henry VI. to the Kelly family, by whom it was sold to John Cann esq. of Fuidge, and Mr, William Battershill, of Barton; it now belongs to George Lambert esq. M.P. W. J. Battershill and George Cann esqrs. R. C. Hole esq. of Torquay, the trustees of the late Mrs. Skinner, the trustees of the lata S. Norrish esq. and Mr. John Baker are the chief landowners. The soil is heavy; the subsoil, clay. The chief crops are wheat, oats and barley. The area is 3,642 acres; rateable value, £2,043; the population in 1901 was 366.

A School Board of 5 members was formed April 3, 1876; W. J. Battishiil, Deanery place, Exeter, chairman & clerk to the board.

Board School (mixed), erected in 1861, & acquired by the board in 1876; it holds 80 children; average attendance, 61.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Spreyton

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wonford Hundred
1Martin151:260.57%8
2Yeo131:291.75%125
3Lee121:320.67%21
4Chown101:383.62%420
5Hill91:430.28%5
5Rowe91:430.46%16
5Henley91:436.82%899
5Shillson91:4369.23%4,496
9Brook81:481.90%260
9Delve81:484.10%612
11Cooper71:551.59%253
11Webber71:550.28%10
11Coombe71:551.38%210
11Hopking71:55100.00%6,891
11Stoward71:55100.00%6,891
11Tremlet71:5553.85%4,496
11Peurse71:55100.00%6,891
18White61:640.22%7
18Howard61:640.90%146
18Long61:641.09%192
18Sanders61:640.30%14
18Cann61:640.57%71
18Westaway61:641.55%289
18Endacott61:641.69%317
18Wonnacott61:642.33%457
18Ballishill61:64100.00%7,664
27Harvey51:770.37%40
27Cole51:770.24%13
27Townsend51:771.23%271
27Sharland51:771.51%336
27Kellaway51:774.39%1,015
27Sauders51:7762.50%6,268
27Powesland51:7711.90%2,174
27Suffer51:77100.00%8,667
35Wilson41:960.60%147
35Harris41:960.10%1
35Moore41:960.24%26
35Reynolds41:961.00%278
35Potter41:960.56%134
35Frost41:960.51%115
35Tucker41:960.11%3
35Lambert41:964.82%1,333
35Manning41:960.53%122
35Osborn41:961.90%559
35Folley41:965.80%1,545
35Sobey41:963.74%1,066
35Folly41:9644.44%5,765
35Collacott41:963.08%905
35Honeychurch41:9611.76%2,503
35Heathman41:965.19%1,416
35Nanstone41:96100.00%9,849
52Baker31:1280.10%6
52Isaac31:1280.47%158
52Knapman31:1280.52%183
52Lewes31:12818.75%3,944
52Seaward31:1282.73%1,046
52Rattenbury31:1281.69%679
52Slaman31:128100.00%11,450
59Abbott21:1920.38%206
59Jordan21:1920.41%222
59Rice21:1920.22%98
59Rodgers21:1921.85%1,058
59Brock21:1920.48%260
59Hole21:1920.43%235
59Seward21:1920.95%559
59Powlesland21:1921.19%721
59Martis21:192100.00%13,160
68Brown11:3830.05%12
68Turner11:3830.06%25
68Palmer11:3830.06%31
68Reed11:3830.08%53
68Bull11:3830.52%617
68Davey11:3830.05%15
68Blackmore11:3830.09%56
68Crocker11:3830.09%64
68Broom11:3830.21%232
68Compton11:3834.55%3,259
68Westlake11:3830.13%116
68Tozer11:3830.13%120
68Dart11:3830.14%128
68Mudge11:3830.25%273
68Hamlin11:3830.94%1,076
68Combe11:3836.25%3,944
68Medland11:3830.32%358
68Trace11:3830.67%797
68Redstone11:3831.19%1,316
68Yolland11:3833.23%2,647
68Ingerson11:3832.70%2,375
68Middleweek11:3832.33%2,133
68Ballamy11:3832.70%2,375
68Bridham11:383100.00%15,767