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At a Glance: Name: Fenton – Meaning: marsh settlement (from Old English fenn 'fen, marsh' + tūn 'enclosure, settlement') – Origin: Old English (place name/surname) – Gender: primarily used for boys
Fenton comes from Old English, combining fenn ("marsh") and tūn ("settlement"), so at its root it simply means marsh settlement — an English place name and surname rather than a name built around a personal trait. You may have come across the claim that Fenton means "man of force," but that's not accurate: the name traces to those same fenn and tūn elements, not to a Scottish or Irish word for force. If you're considering Fenton, you're choosing a name rooted in an English place description rather than a meaning about strength or character.
Meaning & Origin of Fenton
Meaning: Marsh settlement (from old english fenn 'fen, marsh' + tūn 'enclosure, settlement').
Origin: Old English (place name/surname).
A common claim: man of force Actually: Fenton actually comes from the Old English place-name elements fenn ("marsh") and tūn ("settlement") — an English place-name surname meaning "marsh settlement," not a Scottish or Irish name meaning "man of force."
Source: Wiktionary.
Popularity of Fenton
In Social Security Administration data going back to 1883, Fenton reached its highest popularity in 1895, ranking #758. By 2024 it had dropped to #7377, with only 11 babies given the name that year.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1883–2024.
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Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Fenton mean?
Marsh settlement (from old english fenn ‘fen, marsh’ + tūn ‘enclosure, settlement’). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Fenton)
Is Fenton a popular name right now?
Fenton peaked at #758 in 1895 and is ranked #7377 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1883–2024.)
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