Surname Upton - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Roots: The Journey Of The Upton Surname through iGENEA DNA Testing

The iGENEA DNA test offers a remarkable opportunity to unravel the woven threads of our past, tracing back to our earliest ancestors. My journey in understanding my heritage, especially the origins and evolution of my surname 'Upton,' have given me an enriching perspective on my lineage. As a consequence, I've gained deeper insight into Anglo-saxon England, Viking influence, and the role my ancestors played in shaping the world.

H. Upton

Upton: What does the surname Upton mean?

The surname Upton is of English origin and is derived from a geographical locality, 'up-town.' It is composed of two Old English elements: "upp," which means "up or upper", and "tun," which means "settlement or farm." Therefore, Upton likely indicated someone who lived in an upper farm or a farm on high ground. It can also refer to someone from places named Upton in numerous areas of England. This name has been borne by various notable figures over time, impacting different fields from literature to sports. It is quite widespread, found primarily in England, but as a result of migration and emigration it is now prevalent in many other countries.

Upton: Where does the name Upton come from?

The last name Upton is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly England. It is also seen in other parts of the British Isles, including Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Upton is thought to be a patronymic last name, derived from a given name of the same spelling. A patronymic name is a hereditary surname that is formed by adding a prefix or suffix to the personal name of the father or male ancestor.

The name Upton likely originated from several different locations within the British Isles. One possibility is the small town of Upton in Northamptonshire, England, which may have given rise to some of the earliest bearers of the surname. The location was mentioned in the 11th century Domesday Book, a great survey book written at the time of William the Conqueror’s reign.

Historically, the name Upton was also popular in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Welsh immigrants to America often adopted the name as a way to honor those roots, which is why many people will find people with the name Upton living in the United States today. Upton can also be found in parts of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Upton

The surname Upton is an English toponymic surname derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century words upp and tun which mean upper farmstead or village. The variants and surnames of the same origin for this name include:

- Upponton

- Uppintun

- Uppendun

- Uppinton

- Upington

- Uppentune

- Uppendon

- Uppondone

- Upponton

- Uppendune

- Updaunton

- Upponten

- Updenton

The surname is quite common in the United Kingdom, especially in England, where it is presently the 7th most common surname with roughly 50,000 bearers. The surname can also be found in other countries such as Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. The American spelling of this surname is sometimes found as Upton.

In Ireland, the names O’Purtáin and Puirtáin are anglicized versions of the surname Upton. In Scotland, the name Uppatoun is variant. In Wales, the surname Upton is quite uncommon but can be found in the forms of Uppinton and Uppandune.

In some cases, the surname has also been changed somewhat over time, with some descendants now preferring to spell the name as Uppin, Upen, or Uppen. Variations also exist due to Typos, colloquial mistakes, and different languages or cultures.

Famous people with the name Upton

• Kate Upton: American Model and Actress
• Dwayne Upton: Former English football defender
• Bobby Upton: Former Major League Baseball outfielder and catcher
• John Upton: English actor
• Rick Upton: English guitarist and composer
• James Upton: Professional golfer
• Johnny Upton: American jazz pianist
• Jack Upton: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Maureen Upton: British actress
• Rollin Upton: American Catholic priest and mystic

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