Updated" 7 October 2016

The MIDDLETON surname, means the middle part of a 'TON' - TON being a corruption of 'TUN' meaning an area of land commonly that of a farm.  Therefore, it can easily be concluded that Middleton is merely a locational place name for the 2nd or "middle farm" of a particular area.  As mere examples, Upperton would be the uppermost farm and Netherton would be the lowest of the three farms (all were enclosed and the farmers concerned was classed as a mean of means).  Should a servant of that partcular servant (or serf) of the farmer of that land earn the right to build a small cottage (called a "cot) and be allowed to portion off an area of that land, then depending on whereabouts within that common tun it was situated, it would become an 'uppercot' or 'medlicott' or a 'nethercot'.
This was in Saxon times.  But this did not always happen!

Once an area was named (or became common place), then when surnames began to occur, those families of that area were accorded the placename as their surname, irrespective as to any blood relationship.  Consequently, we have numerous unconnected MIDDLETON men in the project (ignoring those who deliberately changed an earlier surname for his own reasons - this may include removing to another county or country altogether or because his new father-in-law required it to enable the inheriting daughter to bestow her inheritance on her husband).  Thus genetic testing starts to take on a fascinating role, irrespective of the genealogy it provides.

The MIDDLETONs are renowned for two occupations - Agricultural and Legal.  This occurred generation after generation, no matter into which county or Country to which those members went in those early days (although it is recognised that same does not always take place today).  Today, the entire aviation industry have been added as occupations and from my research, this seems to be a very common thread.

Gail Riddell gailriddelldna@gmail.com