Surname Knighton - Meaning and Origin
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Knighton: What does the surname Knighton mean?
The last name Knighton is of English origin and is believed to be a habitational name derived from any of the various places throughout Britain with the name Knighton. These places were typically named from Old English cniht, meaning “servant” or “retainer” and tun, meaning “enclosure” or “settlement.” Thus, the name Knighton is thought to have originally referred to someone who had lived in or near such a place.
The name Knighton is recorded in England as early as 1260, when one Walchelin de Knyghton is listed in Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire. Over the following centuries, more references to the name Knighton are found throughout the country, including spellings such as Knighton, Knyghtun, Knyghton and many more.
In the modern day, the spelling Knighton remains predominantly in use, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. It is most common in rural regions, particularly in the English counties of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire, as well as Ireland’s County Limerick.
Order DNA origin analysisKnighton: Where does the name Knighton come from?
The last name Knighton is most commonly found today in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It is also fairly common in France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany.
The name likely originated from the area around Leicester, in the Midlands region of England. It was first found there during the early Middle Ages, meaning it has been around for centuries. Early mentions of the name tend to be spelled as 'Knighton', while later version include spellings such as 'Knighton' and 'Knighten'.
It is likely that the name began as a place name, derived from Old English words meaning 'KNIGHT'S TUN', or settlement. Whoever was given the name of the local area eventually adopted it as their own family name - and so the last name Knighton was born.
Today, the surname Knighton is most often found in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although variants of the name can be found scattered across many other countries.
Variations of the surname Knighton
The surnames Knighton, Knighten, Knightin, and Knighton are all variants of the same origin. All four spellings are often found throughout English-speaking countries.
The surname Knighton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English name Cniht, meaning ‘knight’ or 'soldier'. During the Middle Ages, a knight was an elite fighter who could be part of the nobility and was considered an esteemed member of society. The name Knighton can also be derived from the term cniht tun, which means 'knight's town' or 'town of the knight'. It is often associated with a particular locality or physical place.
The spelling variations for Knighton are Knighten, Knightin, and Knighton. variations can be attributed to the frequent changes in the English language over time, as well as to the wild variations of spelling names that once existed. In addition, many families chose to use a particular spelling of the surname in an effort to distinguish themselves from other families with similar names.
The surname Knighton has also been used interchangeably with Knighten, Knightin, and Knighton. Many times, individuals with these names combined two or more of the variations in an effort to identify their family and to distinguish themselves.
In summary, Knighton, Knighten, Knightin, and Knighton are all variants of the same origin, and are all derived from the Old English term cniht. The variations are most likely due to the frequent changes in the English language over time.
Famous people with the name Knighton
- Caitlyn Knighton: Actress who has appeared in television shows such as The Orville, Speechless, and Young & Hungry.
- DJ Knighton: Singer, songwriter, and producer from Missouri making waves in the hip-hop and R&B genres.
- Doug Knighton: Actor who starred in films such as Batman Returns and The Shawshank Redemption.
- Gala Knighton: Professional dancer and choreographer, best known for her work on television series such as Glee and The Voice.
- George Knighton: British jazz composer and bassist.
- Harlan Knighton: An award-winning American cinematographer.
- Brett Knighton: A former American football linebacker.
- Sam Knighton: Canadian film and television producer for hit shows such as Degrassi: The Next Generation.
- Vinnie Knighton: Former San Francisco 49er and owner of Knighton Defense in the San Francisco Bay area.
- Zach Knighton: Actor best known for roles on television shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Firefly.