Clayton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Clayton

What does the name Clayton mean?

Clayton is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Clayton family lived in one of the many parishes by the name of Clayton in Staffordshire, Sussex, the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Cloughton is a small village and civil parish in North Yorkshire. 1 2

Early Origins of the Clayton family

The surname Clayton was first found in Lancashire where the family "claim descent from one Robert, who came into England with the Conqueror, and received Clayton in reward of his services." 3 For the most part, all villages derived their name from the Old English words "claeg" + "tun," collectively meaning "farmstead on clayey soil." 4

Many villages date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 and were listed with a variety of spellings: Claitone (three listings); Claitunea; and Claitone. 5 Another early listing of the surname was Jordan de Claiton who was listed in Yorkshire in 1191. 6

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. lists Robert de Cleyton, Lancashire, Henry III-Edward I. 7

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Sewal de Claton in Hertfordshire; Hamo de Cleyton in Buckinghamshire; and William de Cletone in Shropshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Willelmus de Clayton, of Clayton; Sara de Clayton; and Johannes de Clayton. 2 "Taunton Hall [in Knott Lanes, Lancashire], was the seat of the Claytons as early as the reign of Henry VI." 8

Early History of the Clayton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clayton research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1612, 1629, 1632, 1665, 1676, 1677, 1684, 1685, 1689, 1692, 1693, 1695, 1702, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1711, 1758, 1773 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clayton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clayton Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Clayton, Claydon, Clawton, Claughton and others.

Early Notables of the Clayton family

Sir Richard Clayton of Adlington; William Clayton (1632-1689), English settler to America in 1677, acting Governor of the Pennsylvania Colony from 1684 to 1685; Richard Clayton (died 1676), English Ca...
John Clayton (1693-1773), was an English-born botanist, born at Fulham in 1693. His father was the attorney-general of Virginia, and the son left England and joined him in 1705. 9
Richard Clayton (d. 1612), was Dean of Peterborough, son of John Clayton, gentleman, of Crook in Lancashire, Robert Clayton (1629-1707), was a merchant and politician, born at Bulwick, Northamptonshir...

Clayton World Ranking

the United States, the name Clayton is the 468^th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 10 However, in Australia, the name Clayton is ranked the 544^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,099 people with that name. 11 And in New Zealand, the name Clayton is the 480^th popular surname with an estimated 1,420 people with that name. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Clayton as 280^th with 21,821 people. 13

Migration of the Clayton family to Ireland

Some of the Clayton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clayton migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Clayton or a variant listed above:

Clayton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Barnaby Clayton, who settled in Massachusetts sometime between 1628 and 1629
Tho Clayton, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 15
Richard Clayton, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Paul" 15
Richard Clayton, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 15
Thomas Clayton, who settled in Austin, Rhode Island, in 1650
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clayton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Clayton, who landed in New England in 1714 15
Francis Clayton, who arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1790 15

Clayton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas B Clayton, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1812 15
Miss Elizabeth Clayton, aged 20, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "North America" on 12th October 1840
Ms. Elizabeth Clayton, aged 30, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "North America" on 12th October 1840
Miss Margaret Clayton, infant, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "North America" on 12th October 1840
Mr. Robert Clayton, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "North America" on 12th October 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clayton migration to Canada +

Clayton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Clayton U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1783 16
Mr. John Clayton U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 16
Mr. Samuel Clayton U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 16

Clayton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Clayton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1841
Isaac C Clayton, who arrived in Canada in 1841
William Clayton, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862
J Clayton, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862
Mrs. Clayton, who arrived in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clayton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Mary Clayton, (b. 1759), aged29, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14

Third Fleet

Mr. George Clayton, (Hayton), (b. 1764), aged 23, English shoemaker convicted in London on 21st April 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15

Following the First and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Clayton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr.William Clayton, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. John Clayton, English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he was executed in 1827 18
Mr. Frederick Clayton, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
James Patterson Clayton, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 20
George Clayton, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clayton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Clayton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

G I Clayton, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1838
G T Clayton, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1839
G T Clayton, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Richard Clayton, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Marys" arriving in New Zealand in 1848 22
Miss Sarah Clayton, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Bernica" en route to Otago via passenger disembarked at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand in December 1848 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Clayton (post 1700) +

Verna L. Clayton (1937-2024), American politician
Constance "Connie" Elaine Clayton PhD, EdD (1933-2023), American educator and civic leader
Buck Clayton (1911-1991), American jazz trumpet player, a leading member of Count Basie’s "Old Testament" orchestra
John Travis Clayton (1954-2022), American MFL sports journalist, writer and reporter for ESPN, recipient of the Dick McCann Memorial Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007
Jeff Clayton (1954-2020), American jazz alto saxophonist and flautist who worked with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, and more
Joe Clayton (1948-2018), American CEO of Dish Network and Sirius XM Holdings
John M. Clayton (1796-1856), American lawyer, U.S. senator from Delaware and U.S. Secretary of State
William L. Clayton (1880-1966), U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for economic affairs
Thomas Clayton (1777-1854), lawyer and U.S. senator from Delaware
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Clayton family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Alfred Stockdale Clayton (1918-1941), Australian Stoker from South Perth, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
Mr. William A Clayton (b. 1923), Australian Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
Mr. Stanley Clayton (b. 1921), English Wireman serving for the Royal Navy from Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Frederick Victor Clayton, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 25
Kenneth B. Clayton, British Sub-Lieutenant with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 26
... (Another 7 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Clayton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Probitatum quam divitias
Motto Translation: Probity rather than riches.

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html