Surname Ethington - Meaning and Origin
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Ethington: What does the surname Ethington mean?
The surname Ethington is an English habitational name derived from the Old English phrase "eðling tun", meaning "a village or estate of a prince or nobleman". It's a combination of two ancient words – eðling, which is the Old English version of the modern word "ealdorman", and tun, which means "enclosure or settlement". The surname is believed to have originated in the mid 11th century, as the Anglo-Saxonessettled in East Anglia and established their local overlordships.
The name Ethington is found throughout England, but especially in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. It was considered one of the top sixty-five surnames in London in 1881. It is also still found in Ireland, mostly in Cork, Dublin, and Wicklow.
The word ewhat, which is derived from eðling, often became a nickname for a proud or pompous person, which the modern spelling of the name has retained. In some dialects of English, the word ewhat was also used to denote a leader or hero, or to describe someone who possessed noble qualities.
The surname Ethington has been associated with nobles throughout its history. In the 14th century, the de Ethington family were barons of England and served the lord of the manor of Rollerston. In the 16th century, the family moved to the town of Settle in North Yorkshire. A branch of the de Ethington family was later knighted for its services to the monarchy. In the 19th century, the family line also became involved in banking and insurance. They were prominent members of their local community, and their name Ethington still appears on many buildings and establishments in the town of Settle today.
Order DNA origin analysisEthington: Where does the name Ethington come from?
The last name Ethington is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is primarily found in Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. In Canada, it is most common in British Columbia and Ontario.
According to the United States Census Bureau and the Canada Census, the heaviest concentration of Ethingtons within the United States is in Kentucky with over 600 people using the last name. The population of Ethingtons on the Eastern seaboard and in the Midwest is much smaller.
Ethington is also found in Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, though in much smaller numbers than in the United States or Canada.
Given that Ethington is relatively rare outside of North America and the English-speaking world, it is likely that the name is of British origin. The origin of the name is unknown, but it could have been derived from a location. It is also possible that the name originated as a nickname for someone who was considered “nothing” or “nothing special.”
Variations of the surname Ethington
The Ethington surname is of English origin, previously spelled Ettington. The variants of the surname are Ethingon, Ethingham, Ethingom, Ehtington, Ettingham, and Eatherington. It is not a particularly common name, however, it is thought to come from either from the area of Ettington and Evington in Warwickshire, or the village of Ettington in Gloucestershire.
The Ettington name is most likely derived from the Old English tun (homestead or dwelling) or the Old English ǣd (land for pasture). There are records of the Ettington name from the early 13th century. During the Middle Ages, surnames were established in England. The Ettington family held ancient tenure, soil, crest, and nobility in the county of Warwickshire and other areas of the country.
Variants of the Ethington surname can be found across the UK and North America. Records of the Ethingham lineage have been located in several states of the US, for example Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and North Carolina. In western Europe, spellings of the name are like the Dutch "Ekerson", the French "Echon" and the Spanish "Echart".
In summary, the Ethington surname is derived from the English location of Ettington and is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. Variants of the name can be found across Britain and America, as well as several European countries. Spellings of the name may differ depending on the language spoken, such as Ekerson in Dutch, Echon in French, and Echart in Spanish.
Famous people with the name Ethington
- Ryan Ethington: former member of the popular alternative rock band Weathers.
- Madelyn Ethington: professional ballet dancer and renowned teacher of ballet.
- Lonya Ethington: former beauty queen of Miss USA in the late 1980s.
- Daren Ethington: prominent actor who starred in many blockbuster films such as “Independence Day” and “Mission: Impossible.”
- Shaun Ethington: multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter known for hits such as “Cool For The Summer” and “Lights Out.”
- Rebecca Ethington: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and composer whose work has been featured in several Disney films.
- Nathan Ethington: professional race car driver and team owner in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Eric Ethington: award-winning journalist who has been awarded several Emmys for his reporting.
- Jessica Ethington: Award-winning video game designer and creator of the mobile game “Cody and the Island of Adventure.”
- Clay Ethington: six-time PGA Tour winner and multi-time professional golfing champion.