Surname Compton - Meaning and Origin
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Compton: What does the surname Compton mean?
Compton is a surname of Old English origin and is derived from the place name "Compton," found in several locations across England. The name Compton itself derives from two Old English words, 'Cumb' and 'Tun'. ‘Cumb’ means 'short, straight valley' and ‘Tun’ means 'farmstead or estate'. Thus, the surname infers that the original bearer's residence or property was located in a narrow valley. It is considered a locational or topographic surname, indicating it was likely given to individuals based on their geographic location or environment. It is common for such surnames to become widely disseminated as people moved from their original homesteads, carrying the name of their birthplace with them.
Order DNA origin analysisCompton: Where does the name Compton come from?
The surname Compton is of English origin and derives from numerous places named Compton in England. The name refers to a valley or a low-lying area ("cumb" in old English) and a homestead or village ("tun" in old English), signifying a person hailing from a valley village. The surname dates back to the late 11th century, its earliest known record in Compton in County Surrey.
Today, the name Compton is prevalent in England, especially in South East England and the West Midlands. In the United States, it is primarily found in the southern part, notably in states like Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Compton ranked as the 1584th most common surname.
Several notable bearers of the name come from different fields including sports, politics, and entertainment. They include Sir Edmund Compton, a British civil servant, and William Compton, an English nobleman, and American rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose major label debut is entitled “good kid, m.A.A.d city: A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar,” featuring a character named Sherane and "set in Compton."
Variations of the surname Compton
The surname Compton originates from England and is topographic, named after several places called Compton throughout Britain. Variants or similar spellings of this surname might include Compston, Comptons, Comptone, Compson, or Compt. In many cases, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics. Variations might have been derived due to differences in regional languages or dialects, or as a result of the translation and Anglicization of surnames from other languages.
Certain surnames of the same or similar origin could include Hampton, Norton, or Sutton; these also are topographic, named after places in England.
However, it's crucial to bear in mind that the mere similarity in the spelling or sound of different surnames doesn't necessarily mean they share a common origin; actual lineage and heritage may vary greatly. Therefore, a thorough genealogical research is usually needed to determine the accurate ancestry or origin of a particular surname.
Famous people with the name Compton
- Belinda J. Compton: An Australian science fiction and fantasy writer.
- Dennis Compton: A former English cricketer and footballer.
- Leslie Compton: An English footballer and cricketer, brother of Dennis Compton.
- Richard Compton: A British actor.
- Carl Compton: An American educator and artist.
- Alex Compton: An American-Filipino basketball coach.
- Kristen Compton: An American professional cyclist.
- Eric Compton: An American professional golfer.
- Mike Compton: A former American football player.
- Cynthia Compton: An American actress.
- Beryl Compton: A British actress.
- William Compton: An American businessman and pioneer aviator.
- Henry Compton: 17th-century Bishop of London.
- Spencer Compton: An English politician.
- Edward Compton: An English actor.
- Fay Compton: An English actress.
- Spence Compton: A British nobleman and politician, and prime minister from 1742 to 1743.
- Arthur Compton: American physicist and Nobel laureate.
- Straight Outta Compton (NWA): While not individual names, the influential rap group NWA is famously associated with Compton due to their debut studio album "Straight Outta Compton".
- Dr. Dre "Compton" (album) and Kendrick Lamar "Compton" (song): Both famed musicians have utilized "Compton" as titles, bolstering the city's name in popular culture. These first and last names could be different due to different cultural norms or conversions. Please also keep in mind that fame is subjective and time-specific.