Layton is an English masculine given name derived from the Old English words "leah" meaning a meadow or woodland clearing, and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement. The name originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. It was initially used as a surname, referring to someone who lived in a settlement near a meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Layton dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented several places named Layton or variations like Laiton and Leitun in various parts of England. These place names likely gave rise to the surname, which later evolved into a given name.

In medieval times, Layton appeared as a surname in various historical records and documents. For instance, a John de Layton is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166, and a William de Layton is recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1275.

The earliest known person with the given name Layton was Sir Layton Bayliss, an English knight who lived in the 14th century. He was born in Gloucestershire around 1320 and served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France.

Another notable figure with this name was Layton Hawkins (1590-1658), an English Puritan minister and writer who authored several religious works, including "The Watchman's Watch-Word" and "A Cordial for Christians in the Time of Persecution."

In the 18th century, Layton Shrigley (1726-1811) was a prominent English industrialist and inventor. He was born in Lancashire and is credited with inventing and patenting a machine for carding cotton, which played a significant role in the early stages of the Industrial Revolution.

During the 19th century, Layton Atkinson (1817-1892) was a British architect and civil engineer who designed several notable buildings, including the Old College at Windermere and the former Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution.

More recently, Layton Kor (1938-2013) was an American rock climber and mountaineer renowned for his bold and innovative climbing techniques. He made numerous first ascents in the Rocky Mountains and was a pioneer in the sport of rock climbing.

These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the name Layton throughout history, highlighting its English origins and long-standing use as a given name over several centuries.