Surname Norton - Meaning and Origin

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O. Norton

Norton: What does the surname Norton mean?

The surname Norton is of English origin and is derived from a geographical location, specifically from a place called "north farm" or "north settlement." The name comes from Old English "nord," meaning "north," and "tūn," meaning "farm" or "enclosure." It was typically given to someone residing in the northern part of a village or to the north of a main settlement in a town. It arose independently in various parts of England including Yorkshire, County Durham, Northamptonshire, and Suffolk among others. Over time, it spread across the British Isles and subsequently around the English-speaking world. The surname Norton may also have a Norman origin dating back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Famous people with the surname Norton include actors Edward Norton and Jim Norton, as well as Peter Norton, the creator of Norton AntiVirus software.

Norton: Where does the name Norton come from?

The surname Norton is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a place-name common in England. It is a geographical surname suggesting that the original bearer resided near a northern farm or settlement. It comes from the Old English words "north" meaning north and "tun" meaning settlement or farm. Over time, the spelling changed and eventually stabilized as 'Norton'.

Due to historical migrations and the effects of colonization, the last name Norton spread to other regions such as Ireland and Canada. In particular, it became an established surname in America as a result of English colonization. Today, the surname Norton is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. According to recent statistics, the highest concentration of people with the last name 'Norton' is found in the United States, specifically in the states of Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. In the United Kingdom, it's more concentrated in northern parts, particularly Yorkshire.

Variations of the surname Norton

The surname Norton appears in many various spellings due to the phonetic nature of the medieval age, including Naughton, Norville, Norrell, Nordon, Northon, among others. These variations are often closely related in their meaning, often denoting a person hailing from a northern town or village.

In terms of variants, the surname Norton includes forms such as Noreton, Nortun, and Norhtun. The surname has its roots in Old English elements 'north', meaning north, and 'tun', meaning enclosure or settlement, hence the meaning 'northern settlement' which was given to small towns or villages in the north.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, some potential ones include Northam, Northcott, and Northrup, all drawing from the similar geographical marker of the ‘north’.

It should be noted that the surname Norton is very popular in England and was also brought to America by early immigrants, where it continued to spread and evolve, leading to the variety of spellings and variants found in the modern era. Norton is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic 'Ó hInneirghe', derived from the words 'innear' meaning 'slaughter' and 'ghe' - a suffix meaning 'of him'.

Famous people with the name Norton

• Edward Norton: An American actor and filmmaker, known for his roles in movies like 'American History X', 'Primal Fear', and 'Fight Club'.
• Jim Norton: An American comedian, radio personality, actor, and author.
• Graham Norton: An Irish television and radio presenter, comedian, and actor who is famous for his chat show 'The Graham Norton Show'.
• Greg Norton: A musician from the American rock band 'Hüsker Dü'.
• Ken Norton: A former professional boxer, who held the WBC world heavyweight title in 1978.
• Andre Norton: A prolific science fiction and fantasy author.
• Eleanor Norton: A non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives representing the District of Columbia.
• Norton Juster: An American architect, author, and academic.
• Peter Norton: An American software publisher, author, and philanthropist, known for his 'Norton Utilities' software.
• James Norton: An English actor, known for his roles in TV series like 'Happy Valley', 'Grantchester' and 'McMafia'.
• Cynthia Norton: A New England folk singer and songwriter.
• Caroline Norton: A famous British social reformer of the 19th century.
• Daniel Norton: British politician and Member of Parliament.
• Richard Norton: An Australian martial artist, action film star, and stuntman.
• Cliff Norton: An American character actor.
• Brayton Norton: An American industrialist and entrepreneur.

Other surnames

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