Surname: Peyton

Origin and Meaning: Peyton is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name 'Pega' or 'Pæga', which means a 'woodpecker'. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with a fancied resemblance to a woodpecker or someone who lived in an area where these birds were common.

Distribution and Frequency: The surname Peyton is widely distributed in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in areas such as Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. It is also found in the United States and Canada, primarily as a result of migration from the British Isles.

Notable Individuals:

  • Sir Robert Peyton (c.1583–after 1625): An English landowner and Member of Parliament who represented Liskeard in 1621.
  • Sydney Peyton (1857–1928): An Australian cricketer who played for New South Wales and Victoria in the late 19th century.
  • Karyn Parsons (née Karyn Rockwell): An American actress known for her role as Hilary Banks in the television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".

Coat of Arms: The Peyton coat of arms features a shield with three red crosses on a silver background. The crest consists of three herons' heads, and the motto 'virtute non vi' translates to 'by virtue, not by force'.

Variants and Derivatives: Variants of the surname Peyton include Payton and Paeton. Derivatives such as Paton and Paynton may also be encountered.

References:

  • Reaney, Percy H., and Wilson, Richard M. "A Dictionary of English Surnames". Oxford University Press, 2005.
  • Cottle, Basil. "The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames". Penguin Books, 1967.

There are approximately 781 people named Peyton in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,945th most common surname in Britain. Around 12 in a million people in Britain are named Peyton.

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
  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Justin
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nigel
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Amanda
  • Angela
  • Ann
  • Caroline
  • Catherine
  • Emma
  • Jacqueline
  • Jennifer
  • Lynne
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

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