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Drayton
Pronounced DRAY-tən /ˈdreɪ.tən/High
Meaning: From English place names combining Old English dræg — a portage or slope where boats and loads were dragged — with tun, 'settlement'Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Drayton comes from English villages at portage points — Old English dræg, the drag-way where boats and sledges were hauled, plus tun. Poet Michael Drayton versified the Elizabethan age; the Drayton family stamped the name on South Carolina, where Drayton Hall stands as both architectural treasure and document of slavery's economy.
As a first name it is rare and Southern-tinged, riding the -ton lane of Paxton and Layton. The nickname Dray gives it modern wheels.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Drayton McLane (1936-)American billionaire businessman and former owner of the Houston Astros
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Drayton mean?
Drayton comes from English place names meaning 'settlement by the drag-way or portage', where boats and loads were hauled.
How do you pronounce Drayton?
It's said DRAY-tən /ˈdreɪ.tən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Drayton a boy or girl name?
Drayton is a boy's name.
How popular is Drayton?
Drayton is a rare name in the U.S.