Surname Tilton - Meaning and Origin

Ancestral Awakening: Discovering the Tilton Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Testing

The iGENEA DNA test revealed unanticipated insights into the Tilton ancestry - from a Viking legacy to significant roles in historical events, influencing and enriching my understanding of my heritage and identity.

A. Tilton

Tilton: What does the surname Tilton mean?

The surname Tilton is of English origin and is derived from old English place names, specifically towns named Tilbury, Tilshead, Tilston, or Tilsworth. The elements of the name include "till," a type of farming cultivation, and "tun," a word for enclosure, settlement, or farmstead. Therefore, the name Tilton essentially signifies a farm where tilling was done, or a settlement or estate associated with a man named Tila or Tylla. It is also associated with the phrase "Prosperous in War" from the Germanic name Theudila, composed of the elements "theud" meaning people and "lind" meaning soft or tender. It is primarily a habitational name for people from locations bearing the name in Leicestershire and Durham, England. Spelling variations include Tillton, Tyllton, Tillotson, and others. Like many surnames, Tilton doesn't have a single definitive meaning but is steeped in historical and cultural significance.

Tilton: Where does the name Tilton come from?

The last name Tilton is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the last name is reported in more than 3,500 counties throughout the country, from rural communities to larger cities. The most highest concentration of Tiltons is in Massachusetts, where Tilton is the 38th most common surname. Other states with high populations of Tiltons are Ohio, New Hampshire, and Virginia.

Tiltons are also quite common in Canada, specifically in the province of British Columbia. Here, over 390 people reported Tilton as their last name during the 2011 census.

Outside of North America, the surname is still relatively widespread. For example, there are Tiltons living in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and many others.

No matter where they may be found in the world, the Tilton family can trace its lineage back to Belgium, which is the family's ancestral home. From there, the surname made its way to England and then to North America in the 17th century.

Though the geographical dispersal of the Tilton family is wide and varied, its members remain connected through a variety of social media networks, providing an opportunity for a sense of community and renewed relationships.

Variations of the surname Tilton

The Tilton surname has a long history and is found in many different forms throughout the English-speaking world. The name can be spelled in a variety of ways, such as Tilton, Tilston, Tilstone, Tilten, Tiltonne, Tyllton, and Tylltonne. The Americanized spelling is Tilton.

The most common ancestor of the Tilton surname is thought to have originated from the English village of Tilston, which is a small village situated near the village of Malpas in Cheshire. The surname first came to prominence around the 12th century when the village was given as a feudal manor to the first Earl of Chester. It is believed that the name originates as a local toponymic name derived from the Old English “tyll” meaning “spring” with the suffix “-tun” which means “enclosure.”

Related names may include Tillotson, Tilsen, Tillman, Tillmann, Tileman, Tilemann, Tilby, Tilly, Till, Tille, and Tillin. Some families may originate from a French-based surname such as Tillot, primarily found near Montreal.

The Tilton last name has become more widespread throughout the English-speaking world over the last few centuries. Today, families with this surname are found all across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Famous people with the name Tilton

• Liz Tilton: Actress and Production Manager
• Gabriel Tilton: Actor
• Lucas Tilton: Singer/Songwriter
• Blake Tilton: Chef
• Shannen Tilton: Cosplayer and YouTuber
• Sarah Tilton: Actress
• Nick Tilton: Animator
• Rick Tilton: Musician
• Richard Tilton: Painter
• Tucker Tilton: Actor
• Mark Tilton: Actor
• Jodie Tilton: Voice Actress
• Emmett Tilton: Actor
• David Tilton: Actor
• Sunny Tilton: Dancer
• Adam Tilton: Musician/ Composer
• Corbin Tilton: Actor
• JT Tilton: TV Producer
• Tyler Tilton: Stuntman
• Katie Tilton: Producer and Manager

Other surnames

TaafeTaaffeTaalmanTaatTabTabanTabaraniTabaryTabbTabbotTabbotsTabbottTabbottsTabbushTabbush AdesTabbutTabbutsTabbuttTabbuttsTabonTabotTabotsTabottTabottsTaburTac