Surname Haughton - Meaning and Origin
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Haughton: What does the surname Haughton mean?
The origin of the last name Haughton dates back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from when the family resided in or near the settlement of Haughton in the county of Lancashire. Haughton is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word “hohtun” which means “a settlement surrounded by slopes or hills”. Haughton therefore indicates that the original bearers of the surname resided in a small village surrounded by hills.
The name Haughton is also a locational surname, meaning that it was often given to the lord of the manor or a person who had taken on residence at that location. This form of surname often described the name of the place of origin, and many were referred to as "Ellers of Haughton".
The Haughton family lived in Lancashire during the 14th century and later spread to the surrounding shires. Members of the family were well respected for their contributions to the church, military and local authorities throughout the centuries.
Today, the last name Haughton is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and America, with its unique spelling, “Haughton” still linking individuals of the same family.
Order DNA origin analysisHaughton: Where does the name Haughton come from?
The last name Haughton is most common today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It is found most notably in Greater Manchester and Leicestershire.
The earliest records related to the name Haughton date back to the 11th century, with William de Hautone being mentioned in documents from 1086. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words hah (meaning "enclosure") and tun (meaning "settlement").
The name isn't as widespread in Scotland, with the counties of Ayrshire and Roxburghshire having the highest concentrations. It also appears stable or increasing in Northern Ireland, particularly in the county of Fermanagh.
By far the highest numbers however are in England, with the most significant concentrations being in Cheshire and Lancashire, where Haughton has been a part of the local culture for centuries.
In terms of global presence, the name is most popular in the United Kingdom but has spread to the United States and other parts of the world with immigration. It is found in the telephone directories and electoral registers of most countries in Western Europe, North America, Australasia, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Haughton
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Haughton include: Haughton, Houghton, Hawton, Halton, Halghton, Halghtun, Haltun, Hawtun, Howton, Haltown, Halfton, and Halftown.
The surname Haughton is derived from the Old English words haeg (enclosure, hedge) and tun (settlement, farmstead). It originated in the north of England. It is most likely British or Irish in origin.
The variations in spelling are due to the phonetic interpretation of the word, by both dialect and the recording of information by clerks. In several instances, this led to errors or omissions in spelling, accounting for why some spellings, and names are the same.
The variation in spelling of this particular surname lead to a variety of surnames being developed, specifically, Haughton, Houghton, Halton and Halfton, Halghton, Halghtun, Haltun, Hawtun, Howton, Haltown and Halftown.
The Houghton surname is derived from the Old English hauha and tun, which means “settlement in the hollow”. There is also the Halton surname, which was derived from the Old English elements halh (nook, corner) and tun (settlement).
In Ireland, the Halton variant originated as a form of the Gaelic surname O’hAltachain. In England, it may also have been derived from Old English names. In Scotland, there is a clan name of Halton, derived from the Old English name Haltune (dairy farm).
Finally, the Howton surname is derived from the Old English word hoh (hill, ridge) and tun (settlement).
Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Haughton all share the common root of haeg and tun, meaning a hedge and settlement. The variations in spelling lead to a variety of surnames being developed, while also highlighting the various British and Irish interpretations of the name.
Famous people with the name Haughton
- Nicki Minaj: Musician, actress, and entrepreneur.
- Robert Haughton: Wrote the book “The Practice of Physic and Surgery.”
- Steve Haughton: Member of Parliament for Wyre and Preston North in the United Kingdom.
- David Haughton: Former professional soccer player for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Siobhan Haughton: Filmmaker, director, and producer.
- Yvonne Haughton: Pan-African actress and public speaker.
- Emily Haughton: Motivational speaker and advocate for mental health.
- Ruben Haughton: Professional stuntman and stunt coordinator for film and television.
- John Haughton: Irish revolutionary and member of the Parliament of Ireland.
- Cicely Haughton: Founder of The Cicely Haughton Foundation, an organization focused on providing educational opportunities to young people.