Littleton is a surname of English origin that comes from the Old English word "hlit" meaning "little". The name was originally given to someone who was small in stature or perhaps the youngest child in their family.
The surname Littleton has been traced back to the county of Bedfordshire in England where it was first recorded during the 13th century. During this time, the name was likely an occupational surname given to a worker in a small linen hall or market.
Over time, the spelling of Littleton has varied and changed through different generations due to factors such as inconsistent record-keeping and changes in language. Some variations include Litton, Lettleton, Lytleton, and others.
Today, Littleton is still primarily found in England but can also be found in other countries around the world where English settlers have migrated. It remains a unique surname that carries with it a sense of history and tradition dating back centuries.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Littleton has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded year for this name is 1882, with 6 births that year. This number remained relatively low and fluctuating until the early 20th century.
In the decade from 1910 to 1920, we see a steady increase in the popularity of the name Littleton, reaching its peak during this period with 15 births recorded in 1924. This suggests that there was a significant interest in this name among parents during this time.
However, after 1924, the popularity of the name Littleton began to decline. From 1930 onwards, the number of births for this name consistently fell below double digits each year until it reached its lowest point with only 5 births recorded in both 1946 and 1948.
Despite this decrease in popularity, there were a few notable spikes in the middle of the century. In 1952, Littleton saw a resurgence with 14 births recorded that year. This was followed by another spike in 1958 with 6 births.
Overall, based on these statistics, we can conclude that while Littleton has not been one of the most popular names in the United States over time, it has still maintained some level of popularity throughout history.