Lenton, or de Lenton is a surname, and Anglo-Norman gentry family, originating in the midlands of England. The family are believed to have originated in Lenton (originally spelled Lentone in the 1086 Domesday Book) in Nottinghamshire, the etymology of which is a "hamlet on the river Leen" (some historians have speculated the family may instead have come from Lenton in Lincolnshire, although this was recorded as "Lavintone" in the Domesday Book of 1086 and remained so until at least 1202, meaning "Leofa’s village").
History
Gilbertus de Lentone is mentioned in the pipe rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1169.
In the 1100s Geoffrey de Lenton was recorded as a Magister (a title granted to someone with academic authority) witnessing a monastic grant in Staffordshire by Bishop Richard Peche.
In 1175 Everard de Lenton witnessed a grant of lands in Basford, Nottingham and Ashby Magna, Leicestershire.
Clemence de Lentone is later recorded as holding lands in Huntingdonshire and Derbyshire in the 1273 Hundred Rolls.
In 1289 Thomas de Lenton was serving as Seneschal to Walter de Wenlok, Abbott of Westminster Abbey. After his death Thomas would be buried in the graveyard at Westminster Abbey. On a later visit to the Vatican, Alexander de Pershore Archdeacon of Westminster would obtain an Papal Indulgence from Pope Boniface VIII for the soul of "his friend" Thomas.
Archdeacon Alexander de Pershore would become friends with Thomas de Lenton's kinsman, gentleman John de Lenton, a landowner, with property in Long Ditch, Westminster. John de Lenton, had a dislike for King Edward, and he and the Archdeacon would be involved in a plot to heist the Kings treasury, known as the 1303 Westminster Abbey Royal Treasury and Refectory raids. The treasure, possibly including Llywelyn's coronet, was stolen at a time the King could ill afford it, and found its way into the hands of people across London. Silver goblets were dredged from the Thames, and treasure found littering the churchyard, and in brothels and pawn shops. The raids caused outrage, as the Archdeacon and several monks were soon suspected of having committing an 'inside job' on the King's treasury, in the supposedly impregnable Pyx Chamber of Westminster Abbey. The King imprisoned the Abbott and Monks at the Tower of London, but they were released when accomplice Richard of Pudlicott, signed a false confession. From further investigations however, John de Lenton became suspected of involvement. He was found in possession of a key to the Abbey refectory, and was indicted. Much of the treasure was recovered and the crown jewels would be moved to the Tower of London thereafter.
William, son of William de Lenton received a grant of land in Nottingham from Henry, Abbott of Rufford Abbey, witnessed by William de Normanton Mayor of Nottingham around 1300.
Simon de Lenton, served as Bailiff of the City of Nottingham from 1327, to 1328, while William de Lenton, served as sacrist of Lichfield Cathedral before Roger le Mareschall assumed the office in 1346.
In 1350, for his good service in the Kings wars in France, Robert de Lenton of Nottinghamshire petitioned Edward III for a pardon, for the death of John de Swanewyke.
In Derbyshire the de Lenton's historically held several locally prominent clergical roles, with members of the family serving as Vicars in Ashbourne from 1333 to 1349, rector of St Mary's Church in Ilkeston in 1351.
In the reign of Edward I, William de Lenton, while serving as the custodian of Tutbury Castle, was attacked and killed by prisoner William de Tyssynton with an axe. John de Lenton served Henry VI as Reeve in Bonsall in the 1460s (part of the Honour of Tutbery).
John Lenton, a lawyer, served as MP for Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire and later Recorder for the city of Cambridge in the 1400s. John acquired Caxton Manor in Cambridgeshire in 1488. Thomas Lenton is recorded as the rector of Church of All Saints of Sawtry in Huntingdonshire in the 1500s.
John Lenton, a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn and supporter of the House of Lancaster, served as MP for the city of Lincoln in the 1400s, and Chamberlain of the Exchequer from August 1465 to April 1471. He is recorded as having worked for Lord Cromwell.
A Lenton served as vicar in St Michael's Church, Derby from 1487 to 1491 and in the 1540s Edward Lenton was Bailiff of the city of Derby.
The family held the Manor of Woodford (known as Lenton's Manor) in Northamptonshire from 1332, or possibly earlier, until c.1616.