WONSON - A habitational name originating from Devon, England. It is believed to be derived from the Old English "Wogan-Stane" meaning "crooked stone". Common variants of the surname WONSON include WONSTONE, WONSTON, WONSONE, WONTON and WANSON.

The highest incidence of the names WONSON, WONSTONE and WONSTON occurs in the parish records of Throwleigh and South Tawton, with baptisms and burials dating from the mid 1600's.

Some of the earliest recordings of WONSON, WONSTONE and WONSTON in Devonshire include, a Thomas De WONSTONE listed in the 1332 Throwleigh Lay Subsidy, a Robert WONSTON assessed to provide arms and/or armour in the 1569 South Tawton Muster Roll and a marriage of a Henery WONSON at Throwleigh in 1735.

WONSON - A small village located between Throwleigh and Gidleigh on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, Devon England. There have been important buildings on the site at WONSON since the Middle Ages. Today the village is home to a small number of rural families and consists of an Inn, village hall and Manor house.

WONSON Manor - Located in the village of WONSON Devon, was for many years under the ownership of the NORTHMORE family. Sections of the Manor house are believed to date back to the 12th Century, however the Manor has been extensively renovated and restyled since the 17th century.

Legend has it that in 1722, William NOTHMORE lost all his estates but retained WONSON Manor at the throw of a card, the Ace of diamonds. As a reminder of his misfortune he had this ace painted on the wall of the upstairs gaming room where it apparently remains today.

WONSON Emigration Time Line.

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