The Claytons originally came from England. The Surname Clayton is of English origin and derives from the Old English words "Claeg" and "tün," which means clay and settlement. I have checked some of the many records available on England and have found several that date back to the twelveth century. There was a Jordan de Claiton in 1191 at Yorkshire, Walter de Clayton in 1332 in Sussex County, Richard Clayton in 1452 in Essex County, and there were reported Clayton families in Lancshire, Staffs, Sussex, and Yorkshire. It has been suggested by a leading Genealogist David Martin that the Claytons go back through Royalty lines to King Charlemagne. Thomas Clayton was born around 1500 probably in Rudgwick Parish, Sussex, England. Thomas Clayton married Margaret and the Claytons had at least two children: John and Alice. On July 4, 1557, Thomas Clayton made a will in Rudgwick parish and was proved on October 5, 1557 in west Sussex Records Offices in Chichester, Sussex, England. John Clayton, who was the son of Thomas and Margeret Clayton, was born around 1525 probably in Rudgwick Parish, Sussex, England. On January 27, 1554/5 in Rudgwick parish, John Clayton married Jane Ouyngton. The Claytons had six children: John Jr., Johanna, Thomas, Elizabeth, Richard, and Walter. Thomas Clayton, who was the son of John and Jane (Ouyngton) Clayton, was born around 1561 and was baptized on March 18, 1561/2 in Rudgwick Parish, Sussex, England. On October 22, 1587 in Rudgwick Parish, Thomas Clayton marrieds Elizabeth Booker. It is not known what happened to Elizabethd, but around 1590 Thomas Clayton remarried to Margaret. The Claytons had eight children: William, Jacob, Mary, Thomas, Richard, Matthewe, Elizabeth, and Walter. On September 10, 1630 Thomas Clayton made a will and was provedd April 28, 1631.