Panton Family History
Panton Surname Meaning
English (mainly Lincolnshire): habitational name either from Panton (Lincolnshires), which is recorded as Pantone in 1086, or more likely because of the status of many of the early bearers from Great Ponton (Lincolnshire) recorded as Pamptune and Pamtone in 1086. Panton probably derives from Old English panne ‘pan’ with the sense ‘broad shallow depression or hollow’ + tūn ‘farmstead settlement’.
However, the first element of Great Ponton is uncertain, perhaps an unrecorded Old English pamp ‘lump hillock’. There is also the possibility of a habitational name from Pamington (Gloucestershire), recorded as Pauynton in 1287 and Panington in 137. Paunton is another possible form of this name, though not on record.
The placename seems to derive from an Old English personal name Pæfen + the Old English genitival connective -ing- + tūn, hence ‘Pæfen's farm’. This suggests a strong linkage to personal names and local geography in the derivation.
However, the medieval Lincolnshire Pa(u)nton family were socially high-ranking and highly mobile, so bearers from other counties may belong with.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022