Surname Littleton - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Intricate Tapestry of Ancestry: A Fascinating Dive into the Littleton Legacy with DNA Testing
After receiving my iGENEA DNA test results, I embarked on an eye-opening journey through my ancestry. I discovered that my surname, Littleton, was far more intriguing and diverse than I initially thought, with surprising connections to various cultures and even historical figures.
D. Littleton
read moreLittleton: What does the surname Littleton mean?
The surname Littleton is of English origin and derives from a geographical location. This locational surname is based on various places in England named 'Littleton' or 'Lytleton'. The name itself is composed of two Old English elements: "lytel," which means "little," and "tun," which means "settlement" or "enclosure". Thus, 'Littleton' can be interpreted as 'small settlement'. It may have been used to distinguish individuals who hailed from such a location. Being a geographical surname, it doesn't have a symbolic meaning or representation of personal characteristics. It’s also possible that the name indicates a familial heritage linked to these areas. As surnames became necessary for administrative and tax reasons during the Middle Ages, people often adopted the name of the place they came from or owned. Like many surnames, over time, the spelling of Littleton may have changed due to factors such as migration and literacy levels.
Order DNA origin analysisLittleton: Where does the name Littleton come from?
The surname Littleton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a place-name. It is composed of the Old English terms "lytel" meaning "little" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement". Hence, it generally refers to those who lived in or were from a “small village” or “little town”. Littleton was a common place name in England with villages in counties like Middlesex and Worcestershire carrying the name.
This surname first emerged in Worcestershire, where the Littleton family held a family seat from early times. Some notable early family members include Sir Thomas de Littleton, a renowned English jurist during 15th century, and Edward Littleton, 1st Baron Hatherton, a prominent British politician during the 19th century.
The Littleton surname is found widely in the United States today due to migration from England in earlier centuries. According to Forebears, it was ranked the 3,919th most common surname in the United States as of 2014. The surname is particularly common in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas. It is also present, although less common, in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the UK, it is most frequently found in the West Midlands.
Variations of the surname Littleton
The surname Littleton is of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'lytel', meaning 'little', and 'tun', meaning 'settlement'. The surname Littleton has gone through various spellings and translations over the centuries. Variants of the name Littleton can include Littelton, Litelton, Litilton, Lyttleton, and Lutelton.
Other possible variants could be Littyton, Liteon, Litton, and Littlen. However, these are less common and may not necessarily originate from the same roots as Littleton. Occasionally, 'Little' could be used as a surname originating from 'Littleton', although 'Little' can also originate from the nickname 'the little', denoting a short man.
Branching out to other surnames, the surname Lyttelton (and it's variations such as Littleton and Littelton) belongs to a group of surnames that originate from existing place-names in England - in this case, a place called Littleton in counties like Hampshire, or Worcestershire, and thus may share the same origin with other surnames derived from different place names.
Please note that while these are possible variants, the origin or derivation of a surname can be individual and specific to each family, depending on their language, region, and history.
Famous people with the name Littleton
- Littleton Powel III: Former United States Secretary of State (and National Security Advisor) under the presidency of George W. Bush
- Lucille Littleton: First female mayor of Louisville, Kentucky
- William Littleton: First Governor of West Virginia
- Bonnie Littleton: American actress best known for her role as Mrs. Van Dyke in the 1960s television series Step by Step
- John Littleton: English Quaker who founded an inner-city settlement in North Carolina in 1742
- Peggy Littleton: American politician serving in the Colorado House of Representatives
- Robert Littleton: British painter and art teacher active in the mid-19th century
- Gabrielle Littleton: Author and scholar who specializes in literary theory
- Albert Littleton: American football player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots
- Loreen Littleton: Former professional basketball player for the Utah Starzz and the Seattle Storm.