Surname Broughton - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling my Ancestral Roots through iGENEA DNA: The Broughton Heritage Saga
Investigating my ancestry through the iGENEA DNA test unveiled the fascinating journey of my surname, Broughton. Originating from Old English terms connoting farming communities near water bodies, the Broughton name echoed the shared values of hard work and reverence of the land. With roots in many English counties, the distribution of the Broughton families across centuries adds to the grandeur of its history.
U. Broughton
read moreBroughton: What does the surname Broughton mean?
The last name Broughton is an English name that dates back to the pre-medieval period. It is likely to have originated as a topographical name for someone living at the crest of a hill. The name is derived from the Old English word 'burh', meaning 'fortress' or 'fortified place', and 'tun', meaning 'enclosure', 'settlement' or 'village'.
The earliest recorded instance of this name dates back to 1227 in Surtesfield, England. This was an early record of Alan de Burhtun, who was recorded in the Assize Court Rolls of Northumberland.
The surname Broughton is common in England and Wales, and can also be found in other countries, including Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The surname has many variants including Broeton, Brithon, and Burtton.
The name Broughton conjures up associations with strength and being able to withstand challenges. It may be that those who bore this surname were fierce fighters, or perhaps just formidable adversaries. This could partly explain why the name has endured and why it has become such a common surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisBroughton: Where does the name Broughton come from?
The surname Broughton is primarily of English origin. It is most commonly found in England and Ireland, particularly in the regions of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Shropshire in England, and County Mayo in Ireland. It is historically associated with County Northumberland in Northern England. Outside of the British Isles, the name can be found in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, more than 5,000 people living in the United States are believed to carry the surname Broughton. The most common states where the name is found include Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. Broughtons have also been found in the states of Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.
In the 2010 U.S. Census, the name Broughton was the 18,224th most common surname reported. This would place it in the lower half of the rankings, at about number 10,000.
Overall, the surname Broughton is fairly common in English-speaking countries and still has a presence in the British Isles today. In other countries, the name may not be as common, but certainly still exists.
Variations of the surname Broughton
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Broughton is a very large group of surnames that all derive from the Old English name Brough meaning "dweller on the ridge or hilltop".
Broughton is the most common spelling and is derived from two elements, the Old English burh (fortified settlement) and tun (enclosure, settlement). It is an English topographic name, referring to someone who lived at or near a hill or hilltop. Variations of Broughton include Broughten, Broughden, Brouden, Brougden, Broughton, Brougton, Broughtyne, Brughton, Broughtan, Brougthon, Broughtene, Broughdon, Broughthon, Broughstone, Brougtun, Broughatin, Broughtonne and Brogden.
Other surnames of similar origin include Burford, Brogden, Broughall, Broughden, Braithwaite, Breckon, Broxton, Brotton, Bryden, Broughal, Braddan, Brixton, Brainton, Braeton and Brattell.
These surnames cover a wide range of geographical areas and have spread as far as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. They are all derivatives of the pre-7th century Old English language.
Famous people with the name Broughton
- Michael Broughton: screenwriter, film and television director
- Chris Broughton: actor
- Hugo Broughton: composer and keyboard player
- Richard Broughton: English actor, screenwriter, director and editor
- Robert Broughton: British racecar driver
- Steven Broughton: British author and script editor
- Gareth Broughton: British actor
- Judith Broughton: English actress
- Rob Broughton: Mixed martial artist
- Celia Broughton: British writer
- Jesse Broughton: American football player
- Stephen Broughton: British author, poet and playwright
- Justine Broughton: American actress
- Laura Broughton: British artist
- Paul Broughton: English illusionist and magician