Origin and Meaning of Clayton

Clay settlement or town

Origin: English - Derived from Old English 'claeg', meaning 'clay', and 'tun', meaning 'enclosure' or 'town', thus translating to 'settlement built on clay'.

• Clayton is commonly used as both a first name and a surname, and its origins are tied to various places in England.
• The name has gained popularity in the United States since the 20th century, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Notable bearers include Clayton Kershaw, a famous Major League Baseball pitcher, and Clayton Christensen, a renowned business scholar.
• The name has experienced fluctuating popularity but peaked in the early 2000s, often ranked among the top 200 boys' names in the U.S.
• Variations and related names include Clay, Claxton, and the feminine version, Claytonia.