AYTON FAMILY HISTORY

This page is dedicated to the history of the Ayton family, principally in Norfolk but also elsewhere                   

The Ayton name appears to have originated in a variety of places around the UK, and has been the subject of a detailed study by William Byron Ayton of California who has analysed the distribution of the name through time. Over the years, several other researchers descended from different branches of the family have done work relevant to the broader study of the name. Bernie Ayton and Bill Davison began the computerisation of their extracts of Ayton GRO index entries in the late 1980's, and since then extracts from a number of other sources (including the IGI, census indices and will indices) have been incorporated into the body of consolidated Ayton material. Chris Ayton of West Sussex has played a central role in helping to organise and communicate Ayton research, registering the name with the Guild of One Name Studies in 2009, and Chris Ayton of Cheshire has also been active in the pursuit of the overall Ayton story. Another linked name, Eighteen, which overlaps with Ayton in many records, is now the subject of a one-name study led by Julie Williamson. There is also an Ayton Family Society, focused principally on the Scottish (Aiton) branch of the family, based at Rose Cottage, Whitecastle, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML126LZ, Scotland. In addition, there is an Eaton Families Association, focused primarily on the Eaton name originating in Shropshire and Cheshire, but also covering several derivatives including Eyton and de Eyton.

The principal branches of the Ayton family that have been worked on by various researchers are summarised below, with links to more detailed summaries on each line where available. The intention for each branch is to include details on the high level tree, associated researchers and specifically relevant research already carried out, plus some discussion of potential future research projects. Any details of other branches being researched, or additional material relating to the lines listed below, would be most welcome. An initial summary of area-wide Norfolk related research which has already been carried out is attached, and further summaries of past research relating to specific lines are included in the branch specific pages. Any additional details on previous research would also be very welcome.

There are active message boards for Ayton, Aiton (mainly the Scottish lines) and Eighteen at Ancestry.com.

Principal lines

Descendants of Robert and Mary Ayton (alternatively recorded as Heyton or Heighteen) of Itteringham area, north Norfolk, fl 1750
Descendants of William and Mary Ayton of Syderstone, north Norfolk, fl. 1840
Aytons of New Buckenham, Attleborough and Wymondham, south Norfolk
Descendants of Robert Ayton of Burston, later of Gissing, south Norfolk [linked by marriage to Attleborough line]
Aytons of Diss, south Norfolk
Aytons of the Chediston, Halesworth and Peasenhall area in north-east Suffolk
Eighteens (and Aytons) of Hadleigh, near Ipswich, Suffolk
Aytons of the area around Braintree, Essex
Aytons of London
Ayton family, bankers, of Macclesfield, Cheshire and London
Aytons of Thanet, Kent
Aytons of Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Aytons of Wolsingham, Durham
Aytons of Scotland
Atton of Braunston, Rutland

Other Ayton research interests

Anyone who is able to provide additional material or links relevant to the Ayton family is invited to contact the coordinator for this page Ian Hall.