The name Felton is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "feol" meaning "fell" or "dark", and "-tun", which means "settlement". Therefore, Felton could be interpreted as a place name, referring to a dark settlement.
The name has been associated with several notable places in England, such as Felton in Norfolk and Felton near Hexham in Northumberland. It is also possible that the name was originally an occupational surname given to someone who lived or worked in such a place.
Historically, the name Felton can be traced back to medieval times in England. In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several references to places called Felton, indicating that the name was in use during this period.
Despite its English origins, the name Felton has also been used in other parts of the world. For example, there is a Felton family who settled in Australia in the 19th century and made significant contributions to the country's history.
Today, Felton remains a relatively rare name, but it is still used as both a first and last name in English-speaking countries around the world. It is often associated with rural or historical settings due to its connection to place names in England. Overall, Felton is a name with a rich history and an intriguing meaning that continues to be relevant today.
The name Felton experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. It began with a low of just 7 births in 1888, but by 1914, it reached an impressive peak of 56 births. The following decade saw a continuation of this trend, with several years exceeding 80 births each, culminating in a high of 117 births in 1922.
However, from the mid-1920s onwards, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Felton. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of annual births had dropped to below 50. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than 40 births each year.
In the 21st century, Felton has remained relatively uncommon, with yearly totals usually in single digits. The most recent years on record (2020-2023) saw a total of just 23 births, indicating that the name Felton is now quite rare compared to its peak popularity in the early 20th century.