Surname Eccleston - Meaning and Origin
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Eccleston: What does the surname Eccleston mean?
The surname Eccleston is of English origin and is a habitational name, derived from a place name in Lancashire, North West England. The name Eccleston is a combination of two Old English words - "eccles", which means "church", and "tun", meaning "settlement" or "farm". Thus, it can be interpreted to mean "church town" or "church farm", suggesting that the original bearers of this surname were likely living in or near a town or farm that was named after a church. As with many surnames, Eccleston was probably used to refer to someone from that area. The use of surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation; they were derived from vernacular language and were originally linked to the place names. Like many other surnames, over time it has seen different variations in its spelling.
Order DNA origin analysisEccleston: Where does the name Eccleston come from?
The last name Eccleston is of English origin and it has geographic roots in the region of Lancashire, England. The name is derived from the old English eccles, meaning “church,” and ton, referring to a “town” or “settlement.” Thus, Eccleston essentially signifies 'Church Town.’ Its first recorded spelling dates back to 1150 in Lancashire.
Today, this surname is most commonly found in England, especially in the northwestern parts. Additionally, due to the historic British colonization and emigration, the name has also become prevalent in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The name Eccleston gained some popularity in the public eye due to the British actor Christopher Eccleston, known for his role as the Ninth Doctor in the TV series "Doctor Who". However, overall, Eccleston is still considered a relatively unique and less common surname internationally.
Variations of the surname Eccleston
The surname Eccleston is of English origin and derives from a location name in Lancashire, England. The name Eccleston means "church town" or "settlement with a church". The surname is relatively rare and has a few variants that have developed over time due to phonetic interpretations, different regional dialects, or errors in transcription.
The variations of Eccleston may include Eckleston, Ecleston, Ecclestone, Ecklestone, Eccelston, and Ekelston. Less common spelling variants might have single 'c' or 's' such as Eclestone or Eckleston. The variants could also stem from the addition of suffixes like "-son" forming Ecclestonson.
Ecclestone is a widespread variant, which is particularly prevalent due to its association with prominent individuals like Bernie Ecclestone, the British business magnate and former chief executive of the Formula One Group. This certain association might influence the use of surname Ecclestone among the general population.
Remember that the spelling of surnames was not standardized until the advent of literacy and dictionaries, so many variants likely exist in historical documents. Additionally, some families may have changed their names over time for a variety of personal or societal reasons, further contributing to the diversity of Eccleston-related surnames.
Famous people with the name Eccleston
- Christopher Eccleston: An English actor, he is best known for portraying the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the British television series "Doctor Who." Eccleston's other notable roles include DCI David Bilborough in "Cracker," Maurice Scott in "The A Word," and Malekith in "Thor: The Dark World."
- Sophie Ecclestone: An English cricketer, playing for Lancashire and England. Ecclestone was part of England's World Cup-winning squad in 2017. In 2018, she was named the Emerging Player of the Year by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
- Rebecca Eccleston: A public figure who gained fam because of her relationship with Shane Richie, an English actor and TV presenter.
- Eddie Eccleston: A British musician and jazz educator who held the post of director of jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
- Terence Eccleston: He is a British actor known for his work on stage, film, and television. Notable appearances include "Julius Caesar," "The ABC Murders," and "The Onedin Line".
- Roy Eccleston: He is an Australian journalist and former Washington correspondent for 'The Australian' newspaper. He has extensively covered American politics, including presidential elections.
- Keith Eccleston: He was a British footballer who played as a forward for clubs like Shrewsbury Town and Wellington Town.