Guild of One-Name Studies
One-name studies, Genealogy
Study: Sulston
Variants: Salstone, Sellstone, Selston, Selstone, Sulstone
Category: 2 - A study where research using core genealogical datasets and transcriptions is well under way, but currently in some countries only.
Website: sulston.one-name.net/
Guild hosted website: sulston.one-name.net
DNA website: www.familytreedna.com/public/Sulston/default.aspx
Contact: Mrs Madeleine Harvey
Before the year 1800, many variations in the spelling can be found in historical documents. These are perpetuated as errors today as anyone who carries the name knows only too well. The following variants have been recorded - CELSTON CELSTONE SALSTAN SALSTON SALSTONE SALSTUN SELSTEN SELSTON SELSTONE SELLSTONE SILSTON SILSTONE SOLLESDONE SOLLESTONE SULSTAN SULSTON SULSTONE SULSTUN SURSTON TULSTON
In transcription, particularly of old records, the name can be confused with GULSTON, ENSTON and EGLETON but these are distinct families.
The earliest appearance is in Eynsham in west Oxfordshire where William and Dorothy SILSTONE or SELLSTONE were baptising children in 1653. In 1693, William and Elizabeth SILSTONE were admitted as copyholders to the Manor of Newland. After 1750, the name disappears from Eynsham.
In 1705, William SELSTONE appeared in Blackthorn near Ambrosden in the east of Oxfordshire. He founded the line from which all modern SULSTON names are descended. The spelling became fixed between 1730 and 1800. Many members of this line were yeoman farmers until the second world war and moved slowly from the east of Oxfordshire into Buckinghamshire. A few members of the family branched out to find work in London.
In 1750, Thomas SELSTONE with his brother William and John settled in Long Wittenham in Berkshire. Thomas' son, Charles SELSTONE moved to West Thurrock in Essex. All modern SELSTON names are descended from Charles and the name died out in Berkshire. The SELSTONs remained in Essex or North Middlesex until recent times.
SULSTONs are found in Canada, descended from two brothers William and James Andrew who emigrated from Buckinghamshire in the late 19th century. They are also in South Africa, descended from two more brothers who emigrated from Buckinghamshire in the early 1900's.