Surname Denton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Exploring the Denton Saga: A Revealing Journey into my Familial Roots with iGENEA DNA Test
Taking an iGENEA DNA test to discover my ancestral roots was a fascinating journey that revealed an interesting saga about my surname, Denton. The test shed light on my lineage's origins, from its Anglo-Saxon beginnings to its journey across continents. The revelations instilled a newfound pride in me about my identity as a Denton.
D. Denton
read moreDenton: What does the surname Denton mean?
The surname Denton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a geographical locality, meaning from "Denton", a common place name found in several English counties, including Norfolk, Northumberland, Kent, and Lancashire. The name comes from the Old English pre-7th century term "denu" which means "valley" and "tun" which stands for a settlement or enclosure, hence the term is believed to represent "settlement in the valley". During the Middle Ages, as the population was growing and people started to migrate, they adopted their hometown's name as their surname to ensure identification. Different variations of the surname Denton include Deneton, Dentone, Deighton, and Danton. So, someone carrying Denton as their last name would have an ancestral connection to these geographical locations.
Order DNA origin analysisDenton: Where does the name Denton come from?
The last name Denton originates from England and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It refers to a person who lived in or near a valley settlement, with "denu" meaning "valley" and "tūn" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement" in Old English. The name could also be derived from the town of Denton in Norfolk, Kent, or other places named Denton throughout England. Over time, the surname spread throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland before being carried to North America by English immigrants. Today, Denton is a relatively common surname in the United States, particularly in the southern and midwestern parts of the country. However, in terms of population ratio, it's most common in England, specifically in Yorkshire and Lancashire according to surname distribution maps. The Denton surname is also found in Australia and Canada to a lesser extent.
Variations of the surname Denton
The surname Denton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was derived from a place name. Variants of this surname can include Dentone, Dentonn, Denten, Dentan, Danton, Dannton, Dainton, and Danetone. It's also possible that in some cases people may simplify or alter the spelling to Dento, Dent, Dentin, Dentun or Dennton.
As for surnames of the same origin, they may include those which come from the geographical area where the original Denton place name was situated. Some of these might include other English surnames derived from place names such as Preston, Ashton, Clayton, Hampton, and Norton, which are also from old Anglo-Saxon place names ending in 'ton', an ancient term for "farmstead" or "settlement."
Denton itself comes from the combination of the Old English 'denu', meaning 'valley' and 'tun', meaning 'farmstead or settlement', hence 'settlement in the valley'. This etymology parallels with other English surnames formed in the same way like Merton (from ‘mere’ meaning ‘pool’) and Norton (from ‘norrþ’ meaning ’north’).
It should be noted that these variants and related surnames can be found in varying degrees of prevalence in different geographical locations, and cultural and language influences can also affect these variations.
Famous people with the name Denton
- Catherine Denton: She is a successful British actress famous for shows like "The Bill."
- James Denton: An American actor best known for his role as Mike Delfino in the television series "Desperate Housewives".
- Jeremiah Denton: He was an American Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Senator from Alabama who was also a Vietnam War veteran.
- Vicki Denton: A prominent scientist holding key leadership roles in numerous pharmaceutical companies.
- Sam Denton: The bass guitarist in the English rock band called "Sundara Karma".
- Karl Denton: An award-winning, UK-based photographer, known for his landscape photography.
- Tara Denton: An actress who starred in popular movies like "Broken Promise" and "Last Shift".
- Justin Denton: An actor, director, and narrative designer, especially known for virtual reality and augmented reality storytelling.
- Susie Dent: An English lexicographer and etymologist, who appears regularly on Channel 4's word puzzle game show "Countdown".
- Richard Denton: He was a British composer who primarily worked on television themes.
- Neil Denton: A sports commentator known for bike racing.
- Charisse V. Denton: An American actress known for movies like "Park Ave" and "Out-of-Body Experience".
- Steve Denton: An American tennis player who reached the finals of the 1981 Australian Open.
- Tinsley Mortimer: Born Tinsley Randolph Mercer Denton, she is a television personality and socialite.