Surname Oxtoby - Meaning and Origin
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Oxtoby: What does the surname Oxtoby mean?
Oxtoby is a surname of Old Norse origin that is particularly prevalent in Yorkshire, a county in Northern England. It is a locative name, which means it is derived from a place. In the case of Oxtoby, that place is presumed to be extinct now or has a significantly altered name, as no existing location is known by this name.
The two elements "oxa" and "by" make up the name, where 'oxa' means 'oxen' and 'by' refers to 'a farm or settlement' in Norse. Hence, Oxtoby would translate directly to 'Oxen Farm'. People with this last name likely descend from, or once resided in, such an area traditionally used for breeding and rearing oxen.
Order DNA origin analysisOxtoby: Where does the name Oxtoby come from?
The last name Oxtoby is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, specifically in the east of England, where it is among the top 500 most popular surnames. Oxtoby is more frequently found in counties such as Lincolnshire and Yorkshire and is rarer in the other parts of the country. It most likely originates from the Olde English pre seventh century word "Oxenho", a term for an ox-driver.
The surname is also located in North America, where it has been since at least the mid-1700s, when many Brits emigrated to the United States and Canada to start a new life. In Latin America, especially in Argentina, it can also be found, having come with the British settlers who worked on the railroads in countries such as Peru and Bolivia.
In Australia, the surname is quite rare, as it appears in isolated cases only. It is presumed that the surname came mostly with settlers who arrived later in Australia from the United Kingdom. Going further east, Oxtoby is not that common in India but it has been present there at least since the early 19th century with the British merchants and soldiers stationed in the country.
Overall, the last name Oxtoby remains concentrated in the English-speaking countries and cultures. Being a relatively old last name, it still shows up in records in the United Kingdom and, to a lesser extent, in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Oxtoby
The surname Oxtoby is a toponymic surname derived from a place name (such as a village, town, or county) and is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "oxa" (ox) and "tun" (enclosure), which together form "oxetun", meaning a place or enclosure where oxen are kept.
Various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, include Oxtobie, Oxetun, Oxthon, Oxeton, Oxten, Oxeton, and Oxthun.
It is also seen spelled as Ostoby, Ostoby, Austoby, and Ostobie. Occasional infusion from other spellings of the same root also occur, including Osthorn, Ostron, Auston, Ostern, Austern, and Ostborne.
The Oxtoby's may sometimes be known as Ostoby's, particularly in older records and documents.
In some instances, a double surname, Oxthonby or Oxtoby may also occur, indicating a combination of the two toponymic surnames, Oxthon (from Oxthorn/Oxton near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire) and Oxtoby from near Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire).
Alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin may include Ostob, Ostobye, Austob, Austobye, Ostobey, Austobey, Oxthorn, Oxthon, and Oston. In some instances, the surname Oxton may be seen, although it has a different origin.
It should also be noted that the surname Oxtoby may occasionally be conflated with variants of the surname Oxted, which was originally derived from Middle English ostede, referring to a place where a dairy farm or dairy worker once lived.
Famous people with the name Oxtoby
- Dave Oxtoby: He is an American physicist who is currently the President of Occidental College.
- Julian Oxtoby- He is a British businessman and the former Chief Executive of the specialty retailer Home Retail Group.
- Kiah Oxtoby: She is an Australian netball player who has represented the country in competitions around the world.
- Jake Oxtoby: He is an English entertainer and stand-up comedian.
- Tony Oxtoby: He is an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League from 1971 to 1976.
- Maali Oxtoby: She is a Canadian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.
- Tim Oxtoby: He is an English musician who plays drums for the rock band Muse.
- Craig Oxtoby: He is a British former professional track cyclist who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- John Oxtoby: He is a Canadian race car driver from Calgary, Alberta and currently competes in the NASCAR Pinty's Series.
- Lloyd Oxtoby: He is a Canadian politician who served as a Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from 1949 to 1952.