Find out how popular the first name Horton has been for the last 30 years (from 1983 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Horton by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Horton is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Horton.

The history of the first name Horton

The given name Horton has its origins in the Old English language, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "horu" meaning dirt or mud, and "tun" meaning a town or settlement. Together, the name Horton may have originally referred to someone living in a muddy or dirty town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Horton can be found in the Domesday Book, a remarkable survey of land and landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Horton, though few details about this individual are known.

In the 12th century, a monk named Horton is mentioned in the chronicles of Jocelin of Brakelond, a Benedictine monastery in Suffolk, England. This Horton is described as a skilled illuminator of manuscripts, suggesting that the name was in use among educated and artistic circles of the time.

During the Middle Ages, the name Horton gained popularity among the English gentry and nobility. One notable figure was Sir Horton Beckering, a 14th-century knight who fought alongside Edward III in the Hundred Years' War against France. Sir Horton is recorded as having distinguished himself in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

In the 16th century, an English explorer named Horton Griffith is believed to have been one of the first Europeans to set foot in the area now known as Virginia, in what would become the United States. Griffith's voyage and explorations are documented in historical records from the late 1500s.

Another famous bearer of the name Horton was the 17th-century English mathematician and astronomer Horton Franklind, who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets. Franklind's work influenced the development of modern astronomy and our understanding of the solar system.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Horton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Horton, please contact us.

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