Last Name Emerton

The surname Emerton is of English origin. It is a locative name, derived from the Old English words "ea" meaning river and "merc-tun," meaning border town or market town. Therefore, it likely refers to someone who lived in a market town near a river with that name. Locative names like Emerton were commonly found in the Middle Ages as many people received their surnames from the places they lived or worked.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Emerton

The meaning and origin of the last name Emerton

The surname Emerton is an Anglo-Saxon name of Old English origin. It is derived from the place name Hemerton, which means 'homestead or farm on a high ground' in Old English. Hemerton was a location in various counties of England, and it is believed that people living there began to use the name as their surname during the Middle Ages when the practice of hereditary surnames became common. Over time, variations of the name such as Emerton, Emmett, and Emmerson have arisen due to spelling changes and regional dialects. The surname Emerton is most common in England but can also be found among English-speaking populations around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Emerton

The last name Emerton is predominantly distributed across England, particularly in regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is also found in significant numbers in Wales, where it may have originated as a variant of the Welsh surname Emyr. Outside of the United Kingdom, the Emerton family can be traced to early settlers in New England, with concentrations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as in parts of Canada, such as Ontario and Nova Scotia. In Australia, the name is most common in New South Wales and Queensland, reflecting the migration of British families to these colonies during the 19th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Emerton

The surname Emerton can exhibit various spelling variations due to historical transcription errors and regional dialects. Some of these variants include Emertonn, Emertone, Ermerton, and Earmerton. Additionally, hyphenated forms such as Emer-ton or Earme-ron may also occur. The root of the name is believed to be derived from places named Emerton in England, such as the villages in Somerset and Dorset counties. Despite these variations, the original spelling remains Emerton.

Famous people with the last name Emerton

Notable individuals with the surname Emerton include:

1. Mark Viduka (born 1975), a retired professional footballer from Australia who played for clubs such as Leeds United, Newcastle United, and Melbourne Victory. He is also a former Australian international.

2. Craig John Emerton (born 1984), an English-Australian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for teams like Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, and Fulham, as well as the Australia national team.

3. Emily Taylor-Emerton (born 1990), an Australian actress best known for her roles in television series such as Home and Away, The Elephant Princess, and A Place to Call Home.

4. Samuel John Emerton (1862–1957), a British astronomer who worked on the photographic discovery of variable stars at the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford, England.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, be it sports, acting, or astronomy.

Genealogical research on the last name Emerton

The surname Emerton is of English origin and is believed to have derived from various places named Emerton in England, such as Emerton near Bridgwater in Somerset and Emerton in Wiltshire. The name is thought to be composed of the Old English elements "eormer," meaning eagle or powerful, and "tun," meaning enclosure or settlement. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 13th century, with a Ralph de Ermeton mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1209. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved and variants include Emerton, Emmerson, and Emery. Notable individuals bearing this surname include John Emerton, a British mathematician who made significant contributions to statistics, and Henry S. Emery, an American painter known for his landscapes of the Hudson River Valley.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Emerton"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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