Clayton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


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

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Clayton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Clayton is the 468th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 10 However, in Australia, the name Clayton is ranked the 544th most popular surname with an estimated 7,099 people with that name. 11 And in New Zealand, the name Clayton is the 480th popular surname with an estimated 1,420 people with that name. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Clayton as 280th 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
Clayton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Clayton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Clayton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clayton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Clayton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Clayton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Clayton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Clayton (post 1700) +


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.


Suggested Readings for the name Clayton +
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