CLAYTON
Clayton
Origin and Meaning: Clayton is an English surname of locational origin, deriving from various places in England named Clayton. The name is derived from the Old English words "clǣg" meaning clay, and "tūn" meaning settlement or town. Therefore, it can be interpreted to mean "settlement by the clay".
Distribution: The surname Clayton is commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. It has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable People:
- John Clayton, 1st Baron Greystoke – A fictional character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs as the protagonist of the Tarzan series.
- Tim Clayton – British Olympic swimmer who won gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
- Adam Clayton – Irish musician, best known as the bassist of the rock band U2.
Coat of Arms: The Clayton family crest typically features a shield with red and gold diagonal stripes, accompanied by symbols representing strength, wisdom, and courage.
Genealogy: The Clayton surname has a rich genealogical history, with many notable family branches and lineages documented in historical records such as census data, parish registers, and family histories.
Trivia:
- The Clayton name has been adopted for various businesses, streets, and landmarks in England and other countries.
- Clayton is a popular surname in the world of sports, with several athletes and coaches bearing the name.
References:
- Smith, E. (2005). The Complete Book of Surnames. London: HarperCollins.
- Clayton, P. (2010). A History of the Clayton Family. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 29,517 people named Clayton in the UK. That makes it the 274th most common surname in Britain. Around 453 in a million people in Britain are named Clayton.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gillian
- Helen
- Joanne
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.