This site will contain sections devoted to many different lines in our family history - click on the one in the column on the left that is of interest to you.
The name WOOTTON has been traced back to the old English word "wadu-tun" which means residence at a farm by a wood. Early documented evidence of the surname includes the 1048 record of Wagen de Wotton in "Old English Bynames" by G Tengvik. The name Wootton and its varients (Wootten, Wooton, Wotton, Wotten and even Walton) are also frequently found as place names in England.
Although not directly associated to my family, the Wootton "Blazon of Arms" is "Argent, a saltire engrailed sable" which is translated as a saltire denoting suffering for a faith and perseverance. The crest is a blackamour’s face in profile sable wreathed on the forehead argent and azure bat’s wings to his head azure.
Our most famous relation must be Sir Alexander FLEMING. Chris's Great-grandfather was also an Alexander Fleming and the two were cousins (ie Sir Alexander's father, Hugh Fleming, was the son of another Hugh Fleming who married Mary Craig. They also had a son Alexander who married Grace Anderson and they, in turn, had yet another son named Alexander Fleming (1849 - 1922). This Alexander married Margaret Craig on 6 Feb 1884 and had a daughter, Margaret Fleming (1886-1978) who was Chris's Grandmother).
According to the publication "Clan Fleming" - aprroved by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, the name FLEMING derives from the French, Le Fleming’.
"They hailed from Flanders and were once merchants who traded with England, Scotland and Wales in the 12th century. Baldwin a distinguished Flemish leader, settled with his followers in Biggar in Lanarkshire, under grant of David I. He also became sheriff of Lanark under Malcolm IV and William the Lion.
9 Flemings signed the Ragman Roll swearing fealty to Edward I of England in 1296, although one of the signatories, Sir Robert Fleming, was among the first to join Robert the Bruce and assist him after the death of Comyn at Dumfries in 1306.
Sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld was created Earl of Wigton in 1342 by David II. His grandson sold the earldom to Archibald Douglas, Lord of Galloway in 1371 which was confirmed by Robert II. Sir Malcolm Fleming of Biggar and Cumbernauld was knighted by Robert III and was one of the hostages for the release of James I in 1423.
He was a friend to William, 6th Earl of Douglas, and was a member of the party which went to Edinburgh Castle on the invite of Governor Livingstone and Chancellor Chrichton in 1440.
Douglas, his brother David, and Fleming were arrested and hurriedly tried and then beheaded. His younger son, Sir Robert, had the forfeited lands returned to him by James II.
He was created a Lord of parliament sometime before 1460. His grandson, John, the 2nd Lord Fleming, was appointed a guardian to James V in 1515. He became Chancellor of Scotland in 1517.
He was assasinated by John Tweedie of Drummelzier in 1524.
The 3rd Lord Flemming, Malcolm, was Great Chamberlain of Scotland and married Janet Stewart the daughter of James IV. He was killed at the battle of Pinkie in 1547.
The 4th Lord Flemming accompanied Queen Mary to France in 1548. He was amongst those taken ill at Dieppe supposedly poisoned.
The family were Jacobites and opposed the Treaty of the Union voting against every article in the Parliament of 1706.
The most distinguished bearer of the name in recent times has been Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin."
