Find out how popular the last name Capleton is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Capleton.

Capleton, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Capleton surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Capleton in America

Capleton is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Capleton surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Capleton.

The history of the last name Capleton

The surname Capleton has its origins in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, emerging around the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "caepel" meaning a small chapel or church, and "tun" meaning an enclosed settlement or town. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near a small chapel or church in a village or town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax returns of 1379, which lists a Robert de Capelton from the village of Capelton, now known as Chapeltown near Sheffield. The Domesday Book of 1086 also mentions a place called "Capeltun" in Yorkshire, lending further credence to the name's origins.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Capilton, Capulton, and Cappelton, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that period. One notable bearer of the name was John Capleton, a merchant from Lancashire who was recorded in the Wills and Inventories of Richmond in 1588.

During the 17th century, the name began to spread beyond its traditional northern English heartlands. In 1623, a Thomas Capleton was listed as a landowner in the Feet of Fines for Surrey, suggesting that some families with the surname had migrated southwards.

The 18th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals with the Capleton surname. One such figure was William Capleton (1735-1812), a noted mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. Another was Robert Capleton (1757-1821), a renowned architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the St. Pancras Parish Church.

As the 19th century dawned, the Capleton name continued to be associated with distinguished individuals. One such person was Elizabeth Capleton (1810-1892), a pioneering feminist and social reformer who campaigned tirelessly for women's rights and education. Another was James Capleton (1845-1917), a celebrated author and poet whose works explored themes of nature, love, and the human condition.

Throughout its long history, the surname Capleton has been borne by a diverse array of individuals, from merchants and landowners to scientists, architects, and literary figures. While its origins can be traced back to the small villages and towns of northern England, the name has since spread far and wide, reflecting the mobility and adaptability of those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Capleton

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Capleton.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Capleton was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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