Surname Picton - Meaning and Origin
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Picton: What does the surname Picton mean?
The surname Picton is of Welsh origin and primarily found in the region of Pembrokeshire, South Wales, specifically derived from the Picton Castle. The name itself is thought to mean "the town of the sharp point", derived from the Welsh words "pic" meaning point or sharp peak, and "ton" meaning town. The Picton Castle, which was built in the 13th century, was the seat of the Wogan family and later the Philipps family, who adopted the name Picton after the castle holdings. The surname Picton, therefore, is a habitational name for those who resided in or around the area of Picton Castle. It later spread through Wales and England due to migrations, and eventually to other parts of the world through British colonization. Today, individuals with the surname Picton can be found in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Order DNA origin analysisPicton: Where does the name Picton come from?
The last name Picton can be found in areas all over the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. In the United States, the surname is most common in the Northeastern region and in the states of Florida, California and Texas. In Canada, Picton is most commonly found in Ontario, with a smaller presence in other provinces like Quebec and Nova Scotia. In the United Kingdom, it is most frequently encountered in the counties of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. Picton is also fairly common in countries such as Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The origin story surrounding the Picton surname is unclear; some argue it is of Norman origin, while others trace it back to the indigenous Pictish people of what is now Scotland. It may also have been derived from an English place name, Picton in Cheshire, or may be related to the French word for pigeon, “pigeon”.
Picton is generally seen as an upscale name; the Picton family of Cheshire was an aristocratic family for generations. In the United States, the name has been adopted by a few notable figures, including Union General and New York Governor John Bell Picton and American politician John Picton Noyes. In Britain, it was the last name of Beatrice Maud Picton-Turbervill, who served as a distinguished nurse on both sides of the Somme during WWI.
Variations of the surname Picton
The origin of the Picton surname is believed to be derived from the old French place-name Pichon, the Latin form of which was Piconsus.
Variants of the Picton surname are Pichon, Pickton, Piddington, Pidginton, Pigginton, Piggot, Pitkin, Pitson, Pitsted, and Picston.
Spellings of Picton include Pectun, Pecton, Pickton, Pictonn, Picton, Piggintown, Pigginton, Piggott and Pixton.
The earliest record of the Picton surname is that of William de Picton in the County of Barnstable in the year 1290.
The surname is also common in Ireland, specifically in Ulster. It is associated with a small village in County Antrim on the south side of Belfast called Pightan or Pightaun.
The surnames Fitton, Pitman, and Pytton are also thought to be related or have similar origins, although this is debated. The Pitman variant is from the old English occupations of pig keeper and pig herder, while the Pytton variant is thought to be derived from the Old English word Pytt, meaning a hamlet built around an enclosure.
In the United States, the Picton surname has also been spelled Picken, Pitten, and Pickton. The lizard version is Pickton or Pigton. Additionally, there are spelling variants such as Pickenpaugh and Pickenpack.
Famous people with the name Picton
- John Picton: John was a British High Court Judge, best known for presiding over the 1999 extradition hearing of Augusto Pinochet in the House of Lords.
- Duke of Wellington: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, is one of Britain’s most famous figures. He was a British soldier and statesman who led the allied forces to victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
- James Picton: James was a 19th century British architect and surveyor, based in Liverpool. He is famous for designing a range of iconic structures across the city, including Lime Street Station.
- William Picton: William was a prominent British theologian and clergyman, who served as the principal of St John’s College, Oxford.
- Henry Picton: Henry was a 19th century British politician, best remembered as the Member of Parliament for East Denbighshire.
- Peter Picton: Peter was a British actor, known for his roles in films such as ‘The Saint’ and ‘Private Snafu’.
- Jessica Picton: Jessica is a contemporary British film editor, earning critical acclaim for her work on the television series, ‘Deep State’.
- Anne Picton: Anne is a contemporary British author and poet, widely known for her debut novel, ‘The Summer of Secrets’.
- John Picton Harries: John was a Welsh cleric and academic, remembered today as the founder of Cardiff University.