Surname Paton - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Threads of My Heritage: An Odyssey into the Paton Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test

With an iGENEA DNA Test, I travelled back in time, tracing my roots beyond historical epochs, right to the heart of ancient Scotland. With profound discoveries about my lineage and the origins of my surname 'Paton', I found myself exploring and appreciating the complex tapestries of Scottish history and culture.

Y. Paton

Paton: What does the surname Paton mean?

The surname Paton is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Patrick. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Phadain" which means "son of Páidín." The name Patrick comes from the Latin "Patricius" meaning "nobleman," and was popular among the Gaels due to Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. As a surname, Paton may also have derived from the Old English word "pæth," which means "path," and was used as a name for someone who lived by a path or road. Despite its Scottish origins, the name has spread and can be found in various forms all around the world. It's important to note that meanings can vary based on the cultural and historical context of the name.

Paton: Where does the name Paton come from?

The last name Paton is still common today, but its geographical distribution varies around the world. It is most commonly found in England and Ireland, especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Paton is the second most common surname in Northern Ireland, with 3.7% of the population using the name.

In Canada, Paton is the ninety-first most common last name, with around 0.2% of Canadians identifying with it. It is found most often in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. In the United States, however, it is far less common, ranking at 8,381st in terms of prevalence.

Paton can also be found in other countries around the world, particularly in Scotland, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. The percentage of individuals with the last name, however, is quite low in these countries. Despite the variation around the globe, Paton is still relatively recognizable throughout many different countries and continents.

Variations of the surname Paton

The surname Paton has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. There is the variation Patton, often seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name can also be spelled Payton, Paynton, and Padon, each of which can be found in England and Ireland. Patoun, often seen in Scotland, and Payten are also variants of Paton.

Patten is a similar surname, often seen in England, Ireland, and the United States. The spelling of the surname Pattin, seen in Scotland, is often interchangeable with Paton. The spellings Paten, Patten, and Pattin can also be found in Scotland and England.

Patens, Patin, and Patonn are also seen in Scotland, Ireland, England, and the United States. Petan, often seen in the United States, is also a variant of the Paton surname.

The given name Pat is often seen as a variant of the Paton surname. Peton and Padon are also seen in England. The spellings Patten, Payton, and Patoun are seen primarily in Scotland.

In the United States, many spellings are interchangeable. Paton, Payton, Patton, Padon, and Patten are all used interchangeably by different families.

Altogether, the variations and spellings of the Paton surname include Paton, Patton, Payton, Paynton, Patoun, Payten, Patten, Pattin, Paten, Patens, Patin, Patonn, Petan, Padon, Peton, and Pat.

Famous people with the name Paton

• Alan Paton: South African author best known for his novel Cry, the Beloved Country
• Chris Paton: Scottish genetic genealogist, author, and media contributor
• Gilbert Paton: English character actor
• Henry Wyckoff Paton: British economist and statistician
• Chris Paton: Scottish actor and musician
• Elizabeth Paton: English fashion journalist
• John Paton: Australian chemical engineer and soldier
• Jonathan Paton: American businessman and politician
• Marie Paton: English actress
• Michael Paton: Welsh actor
• Paul Paton: Scottish footballer
• William Paton: British Scottish-born American organist, conductor, and composer

Other surnames

PatouPatout