Surname Myddleton - Meaning and Origin
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Myddleton: What does the surname Myddleton mean?
The last name Myddleton is of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient British name "Meddalon." The name is topographic, suggesting that the individuals bearing this surname originally lived near or in a place called Myddelton. It is also habitational, inferring that early members of the Myddleton family were associated with a town or village named Myddelton. The name includes elements suggestive of "middle" ("myddel" in Old English) and "town" ("ton" in Old English), possibly indicating a settlement's location. Famously linked with the Myddleton family is Sir Hugh Myddleton, a notable Welsh entrepreneur from the 17th century who undertook the construction of the New River in London. Overall, the name carries significance in geography or location while hinting at a person's origin or residential status.
Order DNA origin analysisMyddleton: Where does the name Myddleton come from?
The surname Myddleton has a British origin and is believed to be derived from the Welsh “middle settlement”. One of the earliest records of this name dates back to the 12th century in North Yorkshire, England. A medieval English town named Myddleton was the home to many who carried this surname.
Notable personalities include Sir Hugh Myddleton, a Welsh entrepreneur known for constructing the New River in London during the 17th century. In hindsight, this surname significantly effloresced in the same region, therefore most bearers are located in the United Kingdom.
Myddleton is not a common surname today. Despite its dominance in the UK, people bearing this surname can be found scattered across former British colonies such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A pocket of Myddletons can also be found in South Africa, an outcome of British imperialism in the 19th Century. It has, however, been subject to various spelling modifications over time. Hence, you might find similar versions such as Middleton, Myddelton, and Middelton, among others. This diverse spelling can be attributed to illiteracy in ancient times when names were recorded as they were pronounced.
Variations of the surname Myddleton
The surname Myddleton can be spelled in several variant forms, many of which have retained the original sounds, despite altering the lettering. Myddleton is believed to originally be of Welsh origin and derives from the personal name Middel, meaning 'middle'. Variations of the surname often include Middleton, Middelton, Myddelton, Middilton, Myddilton, Middeltone, and Middletone.
Other similar names include Mittelton or Mitelton, which potentially hail from a Germanic origin but carry the same 'middle' etymology. There might be modernized or simplified spellings such as Midleton or Midlton, typically resulting from varied linguistic usage or instances of illiteracy in historical records.
It's noteworthy that Middleton is the most common form of this surname found today, possibly due to it being more phonetic or simpler to spell.
Additionally, separate families with the same surname may not be related, and adopting the same surname does not necessarily mean that people are from the same family lineage. Surnames were often adopted based on employment, location, or physical characteristics. Therefore, each variant's lineage would require separate genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Myddleton
- Sir Nicholas Myddleton (1550–1610): adventurer and entrepreneur from London in the Tudor era.
- Thomas Myddleton (1762–1819): English landlord and agriculturist of Plas Newydd, Anglesey.
- Sir Hugh Myddleton (1560–1631): Welsh entrepreneur and industrialist who developed one of the first canals in the British Isles.
- George Myddleton (1775–1849): agricultural improver and a Member of Parliament from Wales.
- William Myddelton (1745–1822): English military engineer and railway pioneer.
- Cecily Myddleton (1823–1880): British author and poet.
- William Myddelton Boulton (1846–1901): English war correspondent, author and natural historian.
- Madeline Myddleton (1894–1975): English essayist and painter.
- Cyril Myddelton Boulton (1880–1951): British First World War officer and colonial administrator.
- Joseph Myddelton (1832–1909): English amateur yachtsman and Edwardian engineer.
- Myles Myddleton (1747–1841): British general who took part in the War of the Spanish Succession.