The Clan Aiton is a Scottish clan that originated in the Scottish Borders region. The name Aiton is thought to derive from the Old English words “at” and “tun,” meaning “at the settlement or enclosure.”
The origins of the Clan Aiton are unclear, but it is believed that the family was established in the Scottish Borders region in the early medieval period. The Aitons were known for their agricultural and pastoral skills, and many members of the clan worked as farmers and shepherds.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Aitons were involved in the turbulent political and social climate of the Scottish Borders. They were known to be feuding with other local families, including the Scotts and the Kers.
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the Aitons supported the Jacobite cause, which aimed to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne. Many Aitons fought in the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745, with some members of the clan being executed for their involvement in these rebellions.
After the Jacobite uprisings, the Aitons continued to be active in the Scottish Borders, with many members of the clan working as farmers and shepherds. Today, the clan has spread throughout the world, with members living in Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere.
The Aiton clan has a number of notable members throughout history, including James Aiton, who was a Scottish judge in the 19th century, and John Aiton, who was a Scottish botanist and horticulturist in the 18th century.