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Last Name Paxton

What is the origin of the last name Paxton?

The surname Paxton is of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from a place name, either Paisley in Scotland or Paxton in England. In Scotland, it was originally spelled as Pasle and later evolved into Paxton. In England, the name is often associated with villages named Paxton, found in various counties like Northamptonshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. The surname emerged as a habitational name, meaning someone who lived in one of the places so named.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Paxton

The meaning and origin of the last name Paxton

The surname Paxton is of Old French origin, derived from the place name Pax, near Rouen, Normandy, where the family resided during the Middle Ages. Originally spelled as de Pahauton or le Pahauton, it evolved into Paxton over time. This Norman-French name was brought to England by the conquering Normans in 1066, and it is believed that early bearers of the surname accompanied William the Conqueror during his invasion of England. Throughout history, the surname Paxton has been recorded in various spellings including Paxten, Pachton, and Patenson, reflecting its French roots. Today, the name can be found widely across English-speaking countries, particularly in Scotland where it was introduced after the Norman Conquest, and in North America due to emigration from the British Isles during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Paxton

The surname Paxton has a notable presence across various regions in the English-speaking world, particularly in Scotland, England, and Ireland, reflecting its historical origin from these countries. In Scotland, it is predominantly found in the central region, including cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow. In England, it is most common in the northwest, such as Lancashire and Yorkshire, and also in parts of the Midlands and East Anglia. In Ireland, Paxton is concentrated primarily in the northeast, particularly County Down and County Antrim. Additionally, significant populations bearing the name can be found in North America, particularly in the United States, where it is distributed across various states, with a higher concentration in Texas and Pennsylvania. The distribution of the surname Paxton also extends to other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Variants and spellings of the last name Paxton

The surname Paxton can be found with various spellings and variants worldwide. Some common variations include Paxton, Paxston, Paxstun, Pachton, Pachen, Paccaud, Pacquet, Pacote, and Packton. These variations may have originated due to different phonetic interpretations, historical spelling changes, or regional dialects over time. The name is of Old English origin, derived from the word 'paece' meaning 'peaceful', and 'tun' meaning 'settlement' or 'town'. Notable individuals bearing this name include Kelsey Paxton, an American actress; Sam Paxton, an Australian rules footballer; and Shaun Paxton, a renowned statistician. The spelling and pronunciation of the surname may vary among families, but it retains its English roots as a peaceful settlement or town.

Famous people with the last name Paxton

Samuel Paxton (1754-1826) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. He later became a judge and co-founded the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Agriculture, one of the first agricultural societies in the United States.

Kyle Paxton (born 1986), an American professional wrestler, is better known by his ring name ACH. He has competed for several prominent professional wrestling promotions, including Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor. In 2014, he won the ROH World Championship, becoming the youngest champion in the promotion's history.

Lou Diamond Phillips (born 1962), an American actor, is perhaps best known for his role as Ricardo "Ricky" Tubbs in the television series Miami Vice and his portrayal of real-life boxer Roberto Durán in the film The Fighter. He has also appeared in films such as Young Guns, Courage Under Fire, and La Bamba.

Mark Paxton (1963-2017), an American actor, was known for his roles on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 and Days of Our Lives. He also appeared in films such as Encino Man and The Pursuit of Happyness. Paxton passed away at the age of 53 due to complications from HIV/AIDS.

Genealogical research on the last name Paxton

The surname Paxton originates from Old English and Scottish Gaelic roots, signifying "peacock town" or "peacock's enclosure." The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to Scotland in the Middle Ages. Notable bearers include William Paxton, a Scottish knight during the reign of King Robert III in the 14th century; and Thomas Paxton, who served as Mayor of Edinburgh in 1597.

In England, the name gained prominence through the Paxton family of Harleston, Norfolk, whose ancestry can be traced back to the Norman Conquest. A notable member was Sir William Paxton, a Knight of the Garter during the reign of King Henry VIII. The family's influence continued into the 19th century with Dame Emma Cons, the founder of the Old Vic Theatre in London, hailing from this lineage.

The name also has a significant presence in North America, particularly in Pennsylvania, due to Scottish and Irish immigrants who settled there during the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable American Paxtons include Samuel Paxton, a prominent Quaker leader, and William F. Paxton, an influential U.S. Congressman from Texas. The name's distribution today reflects this historical migration, with significant populations in Scotland, England, the United States, and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 June 2025

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