This interesting surname is of English locational origin from any of the various places so called, of which there are several in Gloucestershire, one in Dorset and one in Lincolnshire. The placenames are recorded variously in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Frantone, Freolintune and Frantune. Most take their name from the river "Frome" (which is apparently from a British word meaning "fair" or "brisk") plus the old English pre 7th Century "tun" an enclosure, settlement. The one near Tewkesbury derives its name from the old English personal name "Freola", a short form of any of the various compound names with the first element "freo" free, plus "tun" an enclosure, settlement. The first element in Frampton, Lincolnshire, is from the old English byname "Frameca", a derivative of "fram" meaning valiant. Joyce, daughter of John Frampton was christened on July 29th 1595, at St. Bride Fleet Street, London. The marriage of Mary Frampton and William Harris took place on February 1st 1625 at St. Dunstans, Stepney. On May 12th 1629, the marriage of James Frampton and Jane Newton took place at St. Bride Fleet street, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas de Frampton, which was dated 1273, Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.