Middleton

Middleton is a surname of English origin, derived from a topographical or habitational name. It literally means 'middle settlement' or 'middle farm,' referring to someone who lived in or came from a settlement located in the middle of other places, or a farm situated centrally. The name is extremely common in England due to the frequent occurrence of places named Middleton throughout the country. It was adopted as a surname by people from these various locations.

Over time, like many surnames, Middleton began to be used as a given name, particularly as a masculine first name, though it remains much more common as a surname. Its use as a given name often reflects a family's desire to honor an ancestral surname or a connection to a specific place. Its unisex usage is primarily due to its surname origin, which can sometimes be applied to either gender.