Surname Eggleston - Meaning and Origin
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Eggleston: What does the surname Eggleston mean?
The surname Eggleston is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name, meaning it's derived from a place's name. The place here being "Eggleston" is in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England. The place name itself is derived from Old English personal name "Ecgel" (which comes from "ecg" meaning edge or peak) and "tun" meaning farmstead or settlement. Hence, Eggleston essentially translates to "Ecgel's farmstead" or "settlement at the peak". It could likely refer to a person who lived in or was from Eggleston in England. Like many surnames, Eggleston would have been used to identify individuals, especially when they moved to a new area - they would be known by the name of the place from which they came. Over time, this locational identifier evolved into a family surname, passed down through generations. It's important to note that the spelling of surnames may have changed over centuries due to factors like illiteracy and phonetics.
Order DNA origin analysisEggleston: Where does the name Eggleston come from?
The surname Eggleston is of English origin and believed to derive from a place named 'Eggleston' in County Durham, England. Meaning 'Egels' Farm', the name merges a personal Anglo-Saxon name, 'Egel,' and an Old English word, 'Tun,' for farm or settlement. It can also trace roots to Egleston in North Yorkshire, a parish named after an old English cheiftain, 'Ecgwulf'.
Beyond England, Eggleston has spread to those countries greatly influenced by British colonization. Therefore, this surname can be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is primarily observed in the United States, particularly in states such as Virginia, Michigan, New York, and California. As is the case with many surnames, its popularity and dispersion can fluctuate over time due to patterns of migration and intermarriage. Therefore, while it remains most common in English-speaking countries, it can be found sporadically in non-English speaking nations. However, it isn't as common as some other English surnames.
Variations of the surname Eggleston
The surname Eggleston is of English origin and it derives from a geographical locality, 'of Egglestone’, a township in the parish of Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, England. It is also closely related to another surname, "Egglestone". Variants can occur based on spelling, translation, or regional dialect. Some other possible variants or closely related surnames could include Egglestonn, Egglestan, Egglesten, Egglestun, Egglestyn, and Eglistone.
The family crest or coat of arms may also share similarities with these surname variants. Surnames often evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, and even physical characteristics. Thus, different families carrying any of these surname variants could trace their origins back to similar locales or shared ancestors.
In the United States, the spelling "Eggleston" is most common, but other spelling variations may have cropped up as family groups emigrated and names were spelled phonetically or changed slightly to fit new cultural or linguistic contexts.
Famous people with the name Eggleston
- William Eggleston: A renowned American photographer considered an important figure in the shift towards color photography in fine art.
- Thomas Eggleston: An American engineer who served as the National Academy of Engineering’s managing director.
- John Robert Eggleston: He is a former American politician who served as a Lieutenant Governor of Colorado.
- Kevin Eggleston: A United States Army general.
- Keni Lee Burgess: Also known as "Eggleston," he is an American blues and folk singer and musician popular on YouTube.
- Nathan D. Eggleston: A notable American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his role in the American Civil War.
- Orlando B. Eggleston: An American historian.
- Sonia Sanchez Eggleston: A renowned American poet associated with the Black Arts Movement.
- Teri Eggleston: An American actress known for her work in independent films.
- T.R. Eggleston: An American film and television writer.
- Winston Eggleston: An American artist and the son of famed photographer William Eggleston. While not extremely common, the last name Eggleston is associated with notable individuals in various fields such as photography, politics, military, music, and art.