Find out how popular the first name Lawton has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lawton by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lawton is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Lawton being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 39 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lawton.

The history of the first name Lawton

The name Lawton is of English origin and can be traced back to the late medieval period. It is believed to derive from the Old English word "hlaw" meaning "hill" or "mound" and the word "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a settlement near a hill or mound.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lawton appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is mentioned in reference to a place called "Lauton" in Cheshire, which likely evolved into the modern spelling of "Lawton."

During the Middle Ages, the name Lawton was relatively common in certain regions of England, particularly in the northwest counties such as Cheshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. It is possible that the name may have been associated with particular families or clans in these areas.

One notable historical figure with the name Lawton was John Lawton, a 16th-century English Protestant reformer and scholar. He was born in 1515 and was known for his translations of various religious texts from Greek and Latin into English.

Another prominent individual with the name Lawton was Henry Ware Lawton, an American military officer who served in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. He was born in 1843 and was instrumental in the American military campaign in the Philippines, where he was tragically killed in action in 1899.

In the 19th century, a famous figure with the name Lawton was William Cranch Lawton, an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia. He was born in 1809 and played a significant role in the politics of the antebellum South.

Another noteworthy individual with the name Lawton was Lancelot Lawton, an English clergyman and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was born in 1635 and was known for his contributions to the study of ancient manuscripts and his work as a translator of Greek and Latin texts.

Finally, one cannot overlook James Lawton, an English journalist and sportswriter who was born in 1944. He was widely respected for his insightful and eloquent writing on various sports, particularly football (soccer), and was considered one of the finest sportswriters of his generation.

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 Lawton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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