Maxton

Maxton is similar to Maxwell (another surname-turned-first-name) in that both surnames originated from the same place. Back in the 10th century there was a Norse-Gaelic king by the name of Maccus mac Arailt. Maccus and his kinsmen were believed to have ruled the Celtic (mainly Gaelic) regions surrounding the Irish Sea and were therefore well known to history (descendents of the fearsome Uí Ímair dynasty). Maccus’s kingdom most likely covered the Isle of Man and the Scottish Hebrides. It is from this Norse-Gaelic chief that we get a couple of surnames: Maxwell and Maxton. Maccus was granted land near a stream around the border lands of Scotland. On that land was a salmon stream which bore the name “Maccus’ Wael” (“weal” being the Olde English word for “well, pool, eddy”). Over time, Maccus’ Wael became Maxwell. Similarly, another place name from lands obtained by the same Maccus was so-called Maccuston for “Maccus’ settlement”. Over time, Maccuston became Maxton. Both surnames owe themselves ultimately to this Maccus dude. Next question: so where does Maccus come from? Many etymologists speculated that Maccus was derived from the Old Norse “Makkr” which was perhaps the Viking’s equivalent to the Latin “magnus” meaning “great”. Yet other etymologists believe this is an erroneous assumption and that Maccus is a name of Middle Irish origin with lost meaning. Separately, Maccus was the name of a standard clown character often depicted in early Roman drama (a simpleton comic-type). In any case, the surnames Maxwell and Maxton were given to people who hailed from these aforementioned locations in England and Scotland.