Fenton is an English surname and given name of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "feþen," meaning fenny land, and "tun," meaning enclosure or settlement. This name was initially used as a nickname for someone who lived in a marshy area or had some other association with fens.
The use of Fenton as a given name is relatively modern, with its popularity peaking in the United Kingdom during the late 20th century. It has since declined in usage but remains a distinctive and uncommon choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their child.
One notable figure associated with the name Fenton is Sir Joseph Fenton (1763-1822), a British diplomat who served as the first minister to the United States after its independence. Another prominent individual is Francis Fenton, 1st Baron Ravistock (1595-1660), an English soldier and politician who fought for the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War.
The name Fenton may also evoke images of the fictional town featured in several movies and television shows, such as "Wayne's World" and "Fargo." However, these pop culture references have not significantly influenced the popularity or usage of the name.
The name Fenton experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. In its peak years, notably around World War I (1914-1918), there were over 30 births per year, reaching a high of 39 in both 1915 and 1919. However, from the late 1920s onwards, popularity steadily declined, with fewer than 20 births per year becoming common by the 1930s. This trend continued until the mid-1940s when there were consistently fewer than 15 births annually. The name saw a slight resurgence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with around 20 births per year, but it remained generally uncommon. From the 1970s onwards, Fenton has been quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year being typical, and even dipping below five in several years recently (2022-2023). Overall, since the late 1980s, Fenton's popularity has been minimal.