Surname Linton - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering the Roots of Linton: A Journey into Ancestral History with iGENEA DNA Analysis
Embarking on a journey into my ancestral past with iGENEA, I discovered the deep and complex origins of my surname Linton. Tracing its Scottish roots, understanding its meaning, and unravelling its migratory patterns, this exploration provided incredible insights into my Celto-Germanic lineage, broadening my perception of personal heritage.
C. Linton
read moreLinton: What does the surname Linton mean?
The surname Linton is of Scottish and English origin and is believed to have geographical roots. It is derived from any of the several places in England and Scotland named as Linton. The name signifies 'flax or linen enclosure or settlement', with 'lin' indicating 'flax or linen' and 'tun' denoting 'enclosure, settlement or town'. This suggests that the settlement could have been associated with the production of linen or flax in early times. Many families with this surname belonged from a town named Linton in Herefordshire, Roxburghshire or West Yorkshire. As a habitational name, individuals originally bearing this surname likely hailed from such locations, or the name may describe where they lived or owned land. The Linton family lived in these regions for several centuries, subsequently spreading to other parts of the United Kingdom, then to Ireland and other parts of the world with British influence, mainly during the periods of colonization and emigration.
Order DNA origin analysisLinton: Where does the name Linton come from?
The surname Linton is of Scottish and English origin. It first emerged in the border region between these two countries. The name is a habitation name for persons who originally lived in any of the places called Linton found in the counties of Herefordshire, Devonshire, West Yorkshire and others in England or East Lothian and Roxburghshire in Scotland. The name is derived from the Old English words "lin," meaning a waterfall or flax, and "tun," meaning enclosure or settlement.
In the United States, the Linton surname is especially common, with approximately over 14,000 bearers. The name is also quite prevalent in England and Australia. According to surname distribution data, the last name Linton is most common in the United States, followed by England and Australia. It is also found, although less commonly, in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, Scotland, and South Africa.
Regardless of the place of residence today, bearers of the surname Linton can likely trace their ancestry back to those original bearers in the border region of Scotland and England. In each place, the name has evolved and may carry slightly different connotations, but the roots remain the same.
Variations of the surname Linton
The surname Linton originated from England and Scotland and refers to a person from a geographical location distinguished by a grove of lime trees. Linton can be found in the names of different places in England and Scotland.
Several spelling variations of the name have been found, due to changes in pronunciation and spelling over time, and sometimes even translation between languages. Variants of Linton include Lynton, Lineton, Lintern, Lintin, Linington, Lenton and others. It's also possible to find variations with additional prefixes or suffixes such as MacLinton, indicating Scottish heritage.
Additionally, Linton can also be found as a first name. Throughout history, the name has been quite popular in English speaking countries. In some cases, it might be possible to find Linton as a middle name.
It is also worth noting that during the era of slavery in the United States, some former slaves adopted the surname of their former owners, which means that Linton could be a surname within African-American communities as well.
Likewise, individuals of Irish or Scottish descent may carry the surname Linton due to Anglicization of Gaelic names.
Famous people with the name Linton
- Melinda Gates (Linton): Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Jon Linton: US technologist, businessman, early pioneer in artificial intelligence and robotics
- David Linton: American acoustic physicist and creator of the ultra-low frequency process
- Susan Linton: Nobel prize-winning chemist
- John Linton: British Army officer
- Jane Linton: British actress
- Steve Linton: Australian politician
- Stuart Linton: Australian entrepreneur
- Arthur Linton: English footballer
- George Linton: Canadian politician