Surname Hamilton - Meaning and Origin

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My self-discovery journey through the iGENEA DNA test unveiled fascinating genetic revelations about my Hamilton lineage. Unearthing compelling narratives from my DNA's biogeographical blueprint, the results indicated a strong European heritage rooted in both the maternal and paternal lines. With ties to historical migrations, cultural confluence, and ancient social transformations, the Hamilton surname epitomizes a rich tapestry of human history etched onto our genetic markers.

X. Hamilton

Hamilton: What does the surname Hamilton mean?

The last name Hamilton is derived from an old Scottish surname, originating from both the Scots and English language. The name Hamilton is said to have several different meanings, depending on which source you look at.

The most accepted origin of the name is from a place name, most likely from either the English hamlet of Hambleton in Lancashire, or a similarly named location in Scotland. Other potential places of origin include the Old English term 'hamel', which could refer to an enclosure or fortified manor.

The name could also be derived from the two old Celtic words, 'hamel' meaning 'crooked' and 'dun' meaning 'hill', making Hamilton a hybrid of the two expressions, loosely translating into 'crooked hill'.

A final interpretation is that the name is derived from the Old English word 'haemel', meaning 'home-loving' or 'staying at home'. This could be a reference to those in power, who were more content to stay in their residence rather than travel.

Ultimately, the meaning behind the name Hamilton is not completely certain, though scholars still hold fast to a few possible interpretations. Through its rich history, Hamilton has become a popular surname across the United Kingdom.

Hamilton: Where does the name Hamilton come from?

The last name Hamilton is a common last name throughout the English-speaking world.

In the United States, it ranks as the 73rd most popular last name with more than 442,000 people currently bearing the last name. The name is particularly common in the states that make up the Southern United States, such as Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

In the United Kingdom, the surname Hamilton is the 18th most common last name and is derived from the town of Hamilton in south Lanarkshire. It is most commonly found throughout northern England, the Midlands and Scotland.

In Canada, Hamilton is the 33rd most popular name and is also most common in the southern region. Interestingly, the last name is most popular in British Columbia where it ranks as the 22nd most common name.

Other countries where Hamilton is a common name include Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. In Australia, it is the 99th most common name while in New Zealand it is the 84th most popular name. In Ireland, Hamilton is the 65th most common last name.

Variations of the surname Hamilton

The surname Hamilton is a patronymic name derived from the ancient country of Hamilton in Scotland. It is closely associated with the Clan Hamilton. Variants of this name include Hambleton, Hamlton, Holmilton, Hamilthon, and Hamilston. All of these variations are derived from the same origin as 'Hamilton'.

The most common spelling of the name is Hamilton. However, in some cases, it appears with the ending ‘-ton’, such as Hambleton. The ‘-ton’ suffix indicates that the bearer of the name originated in a church or a settlement.

Historically, the name Hamilton was spelled with a variety of spellings, such as Hambleton, Hambilton, Helmiltone, Hameldone, Heymiltone, Hamsinton, Holminton, Hemelton, Hamylton, Hemeltone, Homilston, and Hamildon.

Some of the recognized and accepted surnames derived from Hamilton are Hamilton-Wright, Hamilton-Smith, Hamilton-Moore, Hamilton-Clayton, Hamilton-Brown, Hamilton-Lancaster, Hamilton-Sloane, Hamilton-Montgomery, and Hamilton-Howard.

Despite the existence of various variants and spellings of the surname Hamilton, they are all believed to share a common origin. The origin of the name can be traced back to Scotland, specifically the ancient county of Hamilton.

Famous people with the name Hamilton

• Lin-Manuel Miranda: American composer, lyricist, playwright, rapper, and actor, best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights.
• Alexander Hamilton: Founding Father of the United States and one of the most influential interpreters and promoters of the U.S. Constitution.
• Ashley Hamilton: American actor and comedian, known for his roles in the films Beverly Hills, 90210 (1996) and Lost and Found (1999).
• Nicole Scherzinger: Singer, dancer, actress and television personality, most famous for her role as the lead singer in the Pussycat Dolls.
• William Sanford Hamilton: American landowner and philanthropist, best remembered for donating the land for what is now Hollywood, California.
• Joely Richardson: British actress, known for her roles in the films Nip/Tuck (2003-2010) and The Patriot (2000).
• Clara Hamilton: Irish architect, city planner, and professor, best known for her work on the Belfast Central Library.
• Andrew Hamilton: American lawyer, professor, and politician, best known for defending the freedom of the press in the landmark case of New York Times v. Sullivan.
• Thomas Hamilton: Scottish murderer, who shot and killed sixteen children and one teacher in a mass killing at Dunblane Primary School in 1996.
• Lord George Hamilton: British statesman who served as Secretary of State for India from 1885 to 1892.

Other surnames

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