Surname Oulton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Oulton: What does the surname Oulton mean?
The last name Oulton is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word "olaf", meaning an area of uncultivated pasture or woodland. The surname is thought to originate from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Olaf" which was found as a given name in the charter known as the Winton Domesday Book of 1086.
The Oulton family crest is a hawk, which is thought to be the emblem of someone who was a keen observer or falconer, and the motto “Tutus in Unda” which is assumed to mean “safe in the waves” in Latin. The Oulton family is believed to have once lived in one of the many places in England that contain the Oulton name, such as Oulton in Staffordshire and Oulton in Yorkshire, and is linked to the North West of England, particularly Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.
The Oulton surname is rare in the United States and Canada. It first appeared in the United States in 1650 when the family began to emigrate from England. The Oulton family name is associated with distinguished members of society in England and North America, some of which have achieved prominence in various fields.
The surname Oulton stands as a testament to English resilience and perseverance throughout history. It is an enduring testament to the commitment and dedication of its forebears to create a lasting family name that reflects pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisOulton: Where does the name Oulton come from?
The last name Oulton is especially common in the East Midlands region of England, particularly in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire as well as Northamptonshire. These are all historical English counties that were an area of settlement for the Anglo-Saxon settlers over 1000 years ago and have continued to be a region of occupation for the Oulton family.
The surnames Oulton and Owleton were both spelled with an extra 'W' in the nineteenth century. This is evident today based off of the distribution of the Oulton surname among English counties. In the counties of Tyrone, Londonderry and Antrim, Northern Ireland, the name is spelled as Owleton.
In England, the Oulton surname can also be found in Cheshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex and Hertfordshire but with much lower numbers than other parts. London was also a popular destination for the surname during the mid-to-late eighteenth century as noted by the Censuses of 1841 and 1881.
Oulton can also be found in the United States where it is much less concentrated, being found in smaller numbers in the states of Idaho, Indiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It is also found in the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec.
Finally, the last name Oulton can also be found in Australia, particularly in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
Clearly, there are a few places in which this distinct surname can be found today, however, the historical heartland of the family was in the East Midlands of England.
Variations of the surname Oulton
The surname Oulton is an ancient English name that has a few variants, spellings, and alternate surnames. The most common variants of Oulton have similar meanings, but are spelt differently due to the regional development of language in England over time.
The most common spelling of Oulton is the modern spelling, Oulton, which is found in records dating back to at least the 14th century. Other variants of the name include Oulton, Ollton, Oultonne, Ollbold, Oultonne, Olton and Oltun. Less common variant spellings include Oultoun, Ouston, and Oultene.
Alternate surnames related to Oulton are Onston, Oston, Oniston, Onstone, Ohlson, and Onlston. These surnames are sometimes combined with the more common English prepositions, such as le, de, and de la, creating surnames like del Oulton, le Oulton and de Oulton.
The name is thought to have originated from the small town of Oltone, located in Oxfordshire. It is one of several place-names in the area that have been incorporated into surnames over time. It is possible that the meaning of the word is derived from a combination of two Old English words, 'olt' and 'tun', which roughly translate to 'farmstead by the river'.
The name was also used in reference to a family who held the manor of Oulton, located in the county of Cheshire. This family owned the manor from the 12th century, and they continue to live in the area today.
In recent times, the most common spelling of the name has been Oulton, while the alternate spellings and surnames are also found in records. It is also a common name in the United States, due to emigration from the UK.
Famous people with the name Oulton
- Robert Oulton: British actor best known for his performances in the BBC daytime soap "Doctors" and the 2016 film "Doctor Foster".
- Peter Oulton: British Formula One racing driver and engineer.
- James Oulton: English cricketer who represented Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Middlesex.
- Terence Oulton: British impresario and theatre manager.
- Rebecca Oulton: British actress, best known for her roles in the drama series "Hollyoaks" and the film "Mamma Mia!".
- Mark Oulton: English professional snooker and pool player.
- Gareth Oulton: British film and television director, known for his work on BBC comedy series "Outnumbered" and Sky One drama series "Mount Pleasant".
- Paul Oulton: Canadian Pacific Country singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia.
- Lorna Oulton: British actress known for her role on the BBC show "The Royals".
- Violet Oulton: English silent film actress and vaudeville performer.