Knighton is an English surname derived from the Old English 'cnīht' meaning 'boy', and 'tūn' meaning 'settlement'. It likely began as a nickname given to someone who was perceived as childish or youthful in behavior, or perhaps it referred to someone who lived near a settlement named Knighton. The name has also been associated with places such as Knighton in Worcestershire and Knighton in Flintshire, Wales. Today, Knighton is both a surname and a given name, used by families wishing to perpetuate their lineage or by parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Knighton experienced varying popularity with a spike in births in 2018 and consistency around the mid-range of 5 to 7 births annually over the given years.