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Show ContentsCarleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Carleton surname is derived from one of several places so named in England. The origins of the place name are the Old Norse personal name "Karl" and the Old English "tun," meaning a village. 1 Another source notes the meaning of name is "the village of the free men." 2

"The English gazetteer shows twenty-two parishes, townships, to. so called, and there are many others." 3

Early Origins of the Carleton family

The surname Carleton was first found in Lancashire at Inskip with Sowerby, a township, in the parish of St. Michael, upon Wyre, union of Garstang. "In the Domesday Book this place is written Inscip. It appears to have early belonged to the Carletons and the Butlers." 4

Other early records include a record found in 1031, when Elsi de Carleton was recorded in the Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis. Later the Curia Regis Rolls included Osmund de Carleton in 1163. Later again, Hugh de Carleton was found in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire in 1240 and Thomas de Carleton was registered in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 5

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. listed Reginald de Karleton, Lincolnshire, Henry IIl-Edward I. 6 and later the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included John de Carleton, Lincolnshire; and Geoffrey de Karlton, Bedfordshire. 7 In Norfolk, Edmund de Carleton was Rector of Little Portland, (but no date was given.) 8 In Somerset, Robert de Carletone, was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 9

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Anabella de Carleton; Thomas de Carleton; and Johannes de Carleton as all holding lands there at that time. 7

"Carlton is the name of an old Cornish family of distinction. There was a gentle family of Carlyon at Menaguins in the 17th century, and the name has been established in the parish of Bodmin since the reign of Henry VI.. At present the name is best represented in the neighbourhood of Helston." 10

In Scotland, "there are places named Carleton in the shires of Kirkcudbright, Wigtown, and Ayr, and the surname is common in the north of England. Duncan de Carletone of Ayrshire rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296. Johannes de Carletoun had a charter from Robert I of the lands of Dalmakeran in Ayrshire, 1323." 11

Early History of the Carleton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carleton research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1291, 1309, 1371, 1390, 1559, 1562, 1573, 1577, 1587, 1599, 1601, 1605, 1612, 1618, 1619, 1628, 1632, 1642, 1654, 1660, 1661, 1672, 1673, 1678, 1679, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carleton Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Carleton include Carleton, Carlton, Charleton, Charlton and others.

Early Notables of the Carleton family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Dudley Carleton, Viscount Dorchester (1573-1632), English statesman and diplomat; Sir Dudley Carleton (1599-1654), nephew of the Viscount, diplomat and Clerk of the Privy Council; George Carleton (155...
  • On the infamous side, Mary Carleton (1642-1673) was an Englishwoman who used false identities, including 'the German princess,' to marry and defraud a number of men, her life was the inspiration of th...

Carleton Ranking

In the United States, the name Carleton is the 7,494th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 12

Ireland Migration of the Carleton family to Ireland

Some of the Carleton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Carleton migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Carleton or a variant listed above:

Carleton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Carleton, who arrived in Rowley, Massachusetts in 1638 13
  • Mr. Edward Carleton, (b. 1606), aged 32, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
  • Mrs. Ellen Carleton, (nee Newton), (b. 1614), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
  • Mr. John Carleton, (b. 1630), aged 8, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John of London" arriving in Boston, Massachuetts in 1638 14
  • Hen Carleton, who landed in Virginia in 1642 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Carleton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mark Carleton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1711 13
  • Joseph Carleton, who landed in New England in 1715 13
  • Richard Carleton, who landed in North Carolina in 1739 13
Carleton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • M Carleton, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 13
  • J Carleton, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 13
  • William Carleton, aged 25, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1864 13

Canada Carleton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carleton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Cormick Carleton, aged 49, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
  • Ellen Carleton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1841

Australia Carleton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Carleton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Carleton, (b. 1814), aged 20, English stock man who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancashire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Charles James Carleton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1839 16
  • Caroline J. Carleton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1839 16
  • J. Carleton, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cromwell" in 1849 17

New Zealand Carleton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Carleton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John William Carleton, (b. 1863), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 18
  • Mr. John Carleton, (b. 1837), aged 26, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 18
  • Mrs. Ann Jane Carleton, (b. 1838), aged 25, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 18
  • Hugh Carleton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Portland" in 1864
  • Mr. J. Carleton, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1868 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Carleton (post 1700) +

  • Laura Ann "Lauri" Carleton (1957-2023), American businesswoman in Cedar Glen, California who was murdered on August 18, 2023 for flying a LGBTQ+ flag outside her clothing store
  • Brigadier-General Don Emerson Carleton (1899-1977), American Chief of Staff 3rd Army (1945-1946) 19
  • Jesse Carleton (1862-1921), American Olympic golfer who competed at the 1904 Summer Olympics
  • James Henry Carleton (1814-1873), American Major General for the Union army during the American Civil War
  • Bob Carleton (1896-1956), American pianist and composer
  • Donald Carleton, American Republican politician, Candidate for New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Bow, 1938 20
  • Charles W. Carleton, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 17th District, 1961 20
  • Caleb C. Carleton, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Souris, 1884 20
  • Algar E. Carleton, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Hong Kong, 1917; U.S. Consul in Medan, 1919; Amoy, 1920-24; Hull, 1926-29; San Salvador, 1931-32 20
  • Algar E. Carleton (b. 1872), American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Almeria, 1899-1910; U.S. Vice & Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, 1910-11 20
  • ... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  7. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  8. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  9. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  10. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  11. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  12. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 6th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  16. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE REGENT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839PrinceRegent.htm
  17. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CROMWELL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Cromwell.htm
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) Don Carleton. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Carleton/Don_Emerson/USA.html
  20. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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