This is a locational name which is found (as a place name) throughout Britain. It derives from the Olde English "Wudu - Tun", translating as the Farm by the Wood, and later - the village by the wood. There are perhaps not surprisingly, as the place name is found from Kent to Lincolnshire, many varient surname spellings, the name developoment including Robert de Wottone (1273, Devon), Fredeshet de Wottone (1275, Buckingham), Thomas de Wodetone (1295, Devon), John de Wutton (1275, Oxford), whilst John Wotton (1685 - 1765) was famous as an early painter of racehorses at New Market. The modern spellings are Wooton, Wooton, Wootten, Wotton, Woonton etc. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wagen de Wotton. which was dated 1048, The Old English Register, Warwickshire. during the reign of King Edward I, the Conqueror, 1042 - 1066. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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