Surname Hylton - Meaning and Origin

Exploring My Roots: A Review of iGENEA DNA Test and Its Deep Dive into the Hylton Surname

I recently took an iGENEA DNA test and was gratified by how it enhanced my understanding of my surname, Hylton. The test not only confirmed the British origins of my family but also provided a rich tapestry of history associated with the surname.

I. Hylton

Hylton: What does the surname Hylton mean?

The surname Hylton is of English origin and is derived from a place name. The Hylton family were the lords of the manor Hylton in Sunderland, England, tracing back to ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name is composed of two elements, “hyll”, an Old English word meaning "hill", and “tun” which signifies "settlement" or "town". Therefore, the surname Hylton can be interpreted as "settlement on the hill". The name was first established in North East England, but today can be found among individuals around the world. It is worth noting that the historic Hylton Castle and its owners, the Hylton family, significantly contributed to its popularization. Like many surnames, variations in spelling can occur, including Hilton, Helton, and Hulton.

Hylton: Where does the name Hylton come from?

The last name Hylton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a place name. It comes from the Hylton Castle located near the city of Sunderland in northeast England. The castle was owned by the Hylton family for over 600 years. The Hyltons were significant local landowners and their name "Hylton" was derived from a combination of the Old English words ‘hill’ and ‘tun’ meaning "farm on a hill".

Today, the surname Hylton is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in England. However, due to immigration patterns and the spread of the British Empire, the surname has also been disseminated to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Jamaica. The name might vary slightly in spelling based on regional language transformations. In recent times, it's not associated with a particular geographic region or occupation.

Like with many other surnames, outside the areas where it originated, wherever it is found today simply reflects patterns of migration, whether recent or historical. It isn’t especially common in any specific location outside of the UK.

Variations of the surname Hylton

The surname Hylton is of English origin and it primarily traces its roots from the region of North East England. It comes from the Old English words "hill" and "tun" meaning hill settlement. The name is also associated with Hylton Castle in Sunderland. Over time, the name evolved, adapted, and took on different spellings and variations due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling.

Some of the variations of "Hylton" include Hilton, Hulton, and Helton. These three are the most common variations of the surname. Other less common versions are Heilton, Heltone, and Hilten. Additionally, the name can also be spelled Hyltun, Hyllton, and Hillton.

These variations mainly come from the different ways the original old English name could be spelled or pronounced. Given that spelling standards weren't as rigid in the old days as they are now, people often spelled names phonetically which led to different variations of the same surname. As such, even though the spelling might be different, all these names retain the same meaning and origin, specifically referring to families or individuals who hailed from a settlement on a hill.

Famous people with the name Hylton

• Daisy Hylton: former NBA Wives LA star
• Jo Jo Hylton: British television presenter
• Chris Hylton: former American-British professional basketball player
• Tony Hylton: former English Footballer
• Joe Hylton: former England Footballer
• Wayne Hylton: a former Jamaican international footballer
• Fred Hylton: former English cricketer
• Asley Hylton: a former Jamaican bobsledder
• Tracey Hylton: Jamaican international footballer
• LL Cool J: rapper who changed his last name from 'Mason' to 'Hylton' in honor of his mother's maid who was called Rena Hylton

Other surnames

Hyltons