The name Paxton is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English words "paec" meaning peacock and "tun" meaning town or enclosure. The name likely originated in the medieval period, referring to a town or village where peacocks were kept or where there was a large population of peacocks.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Paxton can be traced back to the 12th century, where it was used as a surname referring to people from the town of Paxton in Huntingdonshire, England. The name gradually transitioned into being used as a given name in later centuries.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the first name Paxton was Paxton Fleming, an English musician and composer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Another notable individual was Paxton Boys, the leader of a group of settlers who protested against the British colonial government's policies towards Native Americans in Pennsylvania in the 1760s.

In the 19th century, Paxton Tate was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Surgeons. Paxton Hibben, born in 1842, was an American Presbyterian minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics.

Fast forward to the 20th century, Paxton Bloomingdale was an American businessman who served as the chairman of the department store chain Bloomingdale's from 1925 to 1947. Paxton Whitehead, born in 1937, is a British actor known for his roles in various films and television shows.

While the name Paxton has its roots in England, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, where it has been used as both a given name and a surname.