Moton
Likely a surname that began as a place-name form, probably tied to Mottingham or a similar local name.
The #7,977 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 74,504 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The historical records point to several medieval spellings such as Moton, Muton, Motum, and Motten, and some 19th-century surname writers connect the name with the place Mottingham. If that link is right, the surname would be locational, meaning “from Mottingham” or another place with a similar name. The evidence is not completely secure, and some occurrences may also reflect simple spelling variation around related forms like Mutton or Moreton.
History
The name appears in English records by the 12th and 13th centuries, with people such as William de Moton and Robert de Moton recorded in medieval sources. Later spellings varied widely, which is common for surnames before spelling became standardized. In modern times Moton survives as a relatively uncommon surname, especially in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Some early surname collections place Moton alongside medieval families styled de Moton, showing that the name was already established in England many centuries ago.
From the historical record
“PklUp le Hntton. B. Willdmos Moton, 1379: P. T. York*. 1719. Married— Richi HargarM Mottoo : St. LoodoD, I.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances