Surname Saxton - Meaning and Origin

Profound Self-Exploration: How the iGENEA DNA Test Enhanced my Connection to the Saxton Heritage

My recent iGENEA DNA test significantly altered the way I perceive personal identity and heritage. It activated profound self-exploration and reinforced my connection to my surname, Saxton, linking me to a complex history that goes far beyond what I could have previously conceived.

T. Saxton

Saxton: What does the surname Saxton mean?

Saxton is an English surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. It is a geographical or regional surname, meaning it was initially given to people based on their place of residence. Specifically, Saxton derives from the Old English words 'Seaxe' and 'tun', translating to 'Saxon farm or settlement'. Therefore, Saxton describes a person who came from a Saxon settlement.

The Saxons were a group of Germanic tribes who migrated to England in the early Middle Ages. Places named Saxton exist in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England, suggesting these could be the original settlements from which the surname was derived.

However, like many surnames, the exact origins and meanings can vary, and interpretations might differ. But predominantly, it is recognized as a topographic surname linked to a person's geographic location or residence. It's also important to note that over time, the spelling of surnames has often changed, leading to various forms of the original name. In the case of "Saxton," it can be Saxon, Saxen, Sexon, and other similar variations.

Saxton: Where does the name Saxton come from?

The last name Saxton is relatively uncommon in the United States today, depending on where you're looking. The last name is of English origin, so it is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the U.S., Saxton is mostly concentrated in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In particular, the Saxton name is most prevalent in southwestern Wisconsin, with many families having descended from early settlers in the area. The city of Platteville, Wisconsin is home to a large number of Saxtons.

In Pennsylvania, Saxton is most commonly found near the city of Altoona and the state capital of Harrisburg. Interestingly, the city of Altoona was home to a successful car manufacturing business in the early 1900s that was owned by family members with the last name Saxton.

Despite its relative rarity, those with the surname Saxton are still around today, albeit in much smaller numbers than in the past. It is likely that many modern-day Saxtons are related to those same early settlers in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who first adopted the name hundreds of years ago.

Variations of the surname Saxton

The surname Saxton is an English surname found mainly in England and Wales. It is also found in North America, Australia and New Zealand. The surname is known to have multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as well.

The most common variants of the surname Saxton are Saxon, Saston, Saxten and Saxen. There are also some less common variants such as Sexton, Sixton, Saxty and Saxey.

The various surnames of the same origin as Saxton include Saffron, Seffern, Saxton-Smith, Seffern-Smith, Saxon-Smith and Saxon-Cox.

The Saxton surname is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name from the prefix ‘Seax’ which was popular amongst the ancient Old English and Anglo-Saxon tribes of England. People with this surname were also known as ‘Saxon’ meaning ‘the son of or descendant of’ in this case the ‘Seax’.

The earliest known record of the surname Saxton dates back to the 12th century in England. It is believed to have originally been a patronymic name that originated from an ancestor’s personal name or occupation.

The surname Saxton is quite popular and is associated with many famous people throughout history. Over the centuries there have been many surname variations that have been attributed to the Saxton name.

Famous people with the name Saxton

• David Saxton: a British actor best known for starring in the UK soap opera EastEnders and the BBC comedy The Brittas Empire.
• Johann Saxton: a German composer, musician, and teacher best known for his chamber music compositions.
• Bill Saxton: an American Olympic medalist, who was part of the 4x400 relay team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
• Mabel Saxton: an American writer and historian who published works on various topics including American history and the 19th century women’s rights movement.
• Devin Saxton: a Canadian swimmer who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and won four medals in various events.
• Chris Saxton: an American soccer player who spent time with Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the USL First Division’s Seattle Sounders FC.
• Steven Saxton: an American actor who has appeared in films such as Wild Wild West and The Reaping. He also had a recurring role in the television series, Veritas: The Quest.
• Gwyneth Saxton: a Welsh novelist best known for her works such as Family Fever and In the Dark.
• Dale Saxton: an Australian football player who has had stints with Melbourne City, the Perth Glory, and Perth Airfield.
• Jamie Saxton: a British film director and producer who has worked on titles like King of the Gypsies and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Other surnames

SaadiSaalmannSaalmuellerSaalmüllerSaamanthaSaamerSaanthaSaarlandSaatciSaatkampSabadilSabadillSabanciSAbanorSabathielSabathilSabbaghSabelSabineSaboSabolSabolcecSabolekSabolovic