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The ancestors of the Dyton family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in the North Riding of Yorkshire. They descended from the distinguished Norman family of Picot d'Auton, and it is from that local name, which means from Auton, that the surname derives. 1
The surname Dyton was first found in Yorkshire. There are three parishes named Deighton in Yorkshire: the chapelry in the North Riding; the township in the East Riding; and the parish named Kirk Deighton in the West Riding. 2
All have the same meaning: "farmstead surrounded by a ditch," from the Old English "dic" + "tun." 3
All date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 but with very different spellings in use at that time: Dictune (North Riding); Distone (near York); and Distone (Kirk Deighton.) 4
The Dictune spelling had an impact on early rolls, Thomas and Henry de Dicton were found in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1204 and later in 1259. Richard de Dyghton was listed in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1327. 5
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dyton research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1340 and 1419 are included under the topic Early Dyton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Dyton were recorded, including Daton, Dayton, Deighton, Dauton and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Dyton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Dyton arrived in North America very early: Ralph Dayton who settled in New Haven Conn. in 1630; Mary Dayton arrived in Virginia in 1648; B. and W.B. Dayton arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1852.