• Origins Available:
• England

Clayson is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name Klaus, or Niklaus (Nicholas). Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames. Furthermore, the suffix son was frequently added to such names which in this case would have been derived from son of Klaus or son of Nicholas.

Early Origins of the Clayson family

The surname Clayson was first found in Long Clawson, sometimes referred to as Claxton, a small village in Leicestershire. The village dates back to before the Domesday Book where it was recorded as Clachestone part of Framland Wapentake and held by Robert the Usher ^[1]. As far as the surname is concerned, the first record of the name appears in Middlesex where they held a family seat as early as 1340. Clays le Taburer is mentioned as being Minstrel to the King and later, during the reign of King Henry IV the name emerged as Clayson in the form of Henry Clayson. By 1328 the name had migrated north to Scotland when Johanes Clayson was Chamberlain. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed.

Important Dates for the Clayson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clayson research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1336, 1407, 1364, 1370, 1370, 1373, 1380, 1392, 1382, 1389, 1392 and 1399 are included under the topic Early Clayson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clayson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Clayson have been found, including Clayson, Clawson, Claxson, Claison, Clason, Clisson and many more.

Early Notables of the Clayson family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Olivier de Clisson (1336-1407), a Breton soldier, distinguished himself at the Battle of Auray (1364), where he lost an eye in the fighting, and earned the nickname "Butcher" because his troops were ordered to take no prisoners, due to differences he went over to the side of Montfort's rivals (France), acquired the lordship of Josselin and began to build Josselin Castle (1370), an imposing new fortress with eight towers, joined Bertrand du Guesclin (1370), who had lately become constable of France, and followed him in campaigns against the English, including the Siege of Brest in...
Another 177 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clayson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clayson migration to Australia

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

Clayson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• William Clayson, aged 35, a brickmaker, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Magdalena" ^[2]

Clayson 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:

Clayson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Clayson, (b. 1858), aged 6 months, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Mystery" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 29th March 1859 ^[3]
• Mr. Henry Clayson, (b. 1836), aged 22, British mariner travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Mystery" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 29th March 1859 ^[3]
• Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Clayson, (b. 1838), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Mystery" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 29th March 1859 ^[3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Clayson (post 1700)

• William Clayson, American politician, Mayor of Anchorage, Alaska, 1927-28 ^[4]
• Harold H. Clayson, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1900 ^[4]
• Christopher William Clayson, American Chairman
• Jane Clayson, American journalist and television personality
• Sir Eric Clayson, Chairman of Birmingham Post and Mail Group
• Clayson Wheeler Aldridge (1899-1944), American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Jerusalem, 1925-27; Aden, 1927-28; Athens, 1929; U.S. Consul in Athens, 1929; Singapore, 1939 ^[5]

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Citations

1. ^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
2. ^ South Australian Register Friday 26th August 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Magdalena 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/magdalena1853.shtml
3. ^ New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
4. ^ The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
5. ^ The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html