Trayton

This is an Olde English pre 7th Century topographical name which has the same origins as the Cornish surname Trathens, and the Shropshire Tritton. These translate as 'the farm (tun) by the river crossing' (trogth)' a pre 7th Century description which was later overtaken by the Anglo - Saxon 'Forcla'. The modern Lancashire surname of 'Troughton' from Ulverston is probably the most obvious link with the original spellings, William Trogton being baptised in 1547 at Ulverston Church. The name development and recordings includes Godfrey Traiton, a witness at the church of St. Michaels, Queenshithe, London on November 13th 1664, whilst earlier in 1610 Christian Tratton was baptised at the church of All Hallows the Less, London on May 22nd 1610. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ann Trayton, which was dated August 1st 1686, christened at St. Martins in the Field, Westminster, during the reign of King James II, The Last Catholic Monarch, 1685 - 1689. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.