Names That Mean Settlement

  1. Murray
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "settlement by the sea"
    • Description:

      Murray, you may be surprised to discover, is a Scottish surname name --that of an ancient noble clan--with a sea-swept meaning, and just could be in the next wave of reevaluated grandpa names. Currently Number 60 for baby boys born in its native Scotland; it was at its highest in the US in 1922, when it reached Number 208, but has been off the list since 1975. Could it be time for a comeback?
  2. Braxton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "Brock's settlement"
    • Description:

      Braxton entered the popularity ranks in 1985 and has been climbing steadily ever since. It has gained from the all-powerful X-factor, and perhaps also from the reality TV show, Braxton Family Values, featuring singer Toni and her sisters Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar. Though it might sound new, there was a prominent Confederate Civil War general named Braxton Bragg.
  3. Dalton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "the settlement in the valley"
    • Description:

      Dalton is a name with multi-faceted appeal. Many are attracted to the name's resemblance to other two-syllable n-ending favorites: Colton, Holden, and cousins. Others see it as a trendy Western name, recalling the legendary Dalton Brothers gang. It also has something of an upscale, preppy feel connected to the exclusive New York private school.
  4. Milton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "settlement with a mill"
    • Description:

      Once an upper-class British surname conjuring up the epic poetry of John Milton, it then descended to the antics of "Uncle Miltie" Berle, and now has left the stage completely.
  5. Vigo
    • Origin:

      Italian surname
    • Meaning:

      "settlement"
    • Description:

      Vigo is both an Italian and Spanish surname and a Scandinavian first name. As a place name, it's found in Spain, Italy, England – and Indiana.
  6. Layton
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "settlement with a leek garden"
    • Description:

      This first name was once a surname derived from Old English. Used quietly a century ago, the current fashion for two-syllable boy names ending in n makes this one a new hit.
  7. Kirby
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "church settlement"
    • Description:

      Attractive British place-name with a sense of humor. Fun fact: John Wayne played five characters with the first or second name of Kirby.
  8. Warwick
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "settlement by the weir"
    • Description:

      Pronounced the same way as Warrick, Warwick is the name of an historic university town on the River Avon in England.
  9. Aston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "eastern settlement"
    • Description:

      Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.
  10. Carleton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "settlement of free men"
    • Description:

      Carleton has a great meaning behind it, and should really have more popularity than it has found to date. You can shorten it to Carl or keep it upscale and formal in the longer form. Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk lends the name some sporty credentials, while American artist Carleton Wiggins confirms this name's Victorian earnestness.
  11. Mitt
    • Origin:

      Nickname for Milton
    • Meaning:

      "settlement with a mill"
    • Description:

      If you'd like to name your baby after Gov. Romney, Mitt isn't it: his birth name is Willard. Mitt is an inherited nickname from Milton Romney, a favorite cousin of his father's who was a Chicago Bears quarterback in the 1920's.
  12. Lleyton
    • Origin:

      Variation of Leighton, English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow settlement"
    • Description:

      Lleyton is the novel spelling publicized by Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. Other double 'L's are found in such Welsh names as Lloyd and Llewellyn. More popular forms of the name include Layton and Leyton.
  13. Quinby
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "queen's settlement"
    • Description:

      Quinby is a fresh surname-y spin on the popular Quinn. A familiar surname with a zippy sound, it may appeal to those who also enjoy Darby, Toby, and Alby, but want something one of a kind, yet to appear in the US stats.
  14. Kirby
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "church settlement"
    • Description:

      Unisex name around for several decades for boys and now ripe for girls.
  15. Quimby
    • Origin:

      Variation of Quenby, English
    • Meaning:

      "queen's settlement"
    • Description:

      Quincy may be unisex, but Quimby is decidedly feminine — at least according to the stats, it's never been used for boys. Perhaps it's because of Beverly Cleary's children's book heroine Ramona Quimby, or the queen-related meaning. In either case, Quimby is a quirky, unexpected choice for a daughter.
  16. Kenton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "the royal settlement"
    • Description:

      Although Kenton has the trendy K beginning and on ending, and a jazz reference to Stan Kenton, it still manages to sound stiff and old-fashioned.
  17. Hilton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hill settlement"
    • Description:

      Do you really want to name your baby after a hotel? Or a famous-for-being-famous starlet?
  18. Royston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "settlement of Royce"
    • Description:

      To honor Roy's son...or grandson.
  19. Kynaston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "royal peace settlement"
    • Description:

      A dignified yet gentle surname name occasionally heard in England and the West Indies.
  20. Everston
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "wild boar settlement"
    • Description:

      Ever- names are currently red-hot, but surname-style Everston is still waiting to be discovered.

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