The given name Clayton has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the combination of two words: "clā" meaning "clay" or "clayey soil," and "tūn" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." It essentially translates to "settlement on clayey soil" or "clay town." The name can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD, when it was likely used to refer to specific locations or settlements built on clay-rich lands.

One of the earliest known references to the name Clayton can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Several places in England, such as Clayton in Lancashire and Clayton in West Yorkshire, were mentioned in this historic document, indicating the name's usage as a place name during the Norman period.

As a given name for individuals, Clayton can be traced back to the 16th century. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Clayton Musgrave (c. 1509 - c. 1579), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland in 1558.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Clayton. One such person was Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode (1730 - 1799), an English clergyman and book collector whose extensive library was bequeathed to the British Museum upon his death. Another famous Clayton was Clayton Moore (1914 - 1999), an American actor best known for portraying the iconic role of the Lone Ranger in the television series of the same name.

In the field of science, Clayton Shagrin (1924 - 2016) was an American physicist and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of radar technology during World War II and the Cold War era. Additionally, Clayton Christensen (1952 - 2020) was a renowned Harvard Business School professor and author who popularized the theory of "disruptive innovation."

Sir Clayton Randolph Cock-burn (1905 - 1987) was a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Governor of the Windward Islands from 1954 to 1959, playing an important role in the decolonization process of the Caribbean.

While the name Clayton has English roots, it has gained popularity across various cultures and regions over time. Its meaning and historical connections to settlements and clay-rich lands have made it a distinctive and enduring given name throughout the centuries.