Contents [hide]

Carlton History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Carlton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales
Ireland
Scotland

The Carlton 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 Carlton family

The surname Carlton 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 Carlton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carlton 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 Carlton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carlton Spelling Variations

The Welsh have an extremely large amount of spelling variations of their native surnames to their credit. The priest or the scribe taking the official records determined how the spoken name was to be made literal. As time progressed, the old Brythonic names of Wales were recorded in English, which was especially problematic since the English language had extreme difficulty recording the highly inflected sounds of Cymraeg. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Carlton have included Carleton, Carlton, Charleton, Charlton and others.

Early Notables of the Carlton family

Distinguished members of the family include

Rev. Richard Carlton published in 1601 a collection of twenty-one 'Madrigals for five voyces,' the preface to which is dated from Norwich. He had in the same year contributed a madrigal, 'Calme was th...

Carlton Ranking

In the United States, the name Carlton is the 1,292^nd most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 12

Migration of the Carlton family to Ireland

Some of the Carlton 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.

Carlton migration to the United States +

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Carlton were found:

Carlton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mary Carlton, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 13
John Carlton, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 13

Carlton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Carlton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 13
Neil Carlton, aged 19, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1776 13

Carlton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

A Carlton, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 13
I Carlton, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 13
M Carlton, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 13
L Carlton, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 13
H Carlton, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carlton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carlton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Christian Carlton U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 288 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 14

Carlton migration to Australia +

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

Carlton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Carlton, English convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 3rd November 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Grace Carlton who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. Duncan Carlton, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Egyptian" on 5th April 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
John Carlton, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Sea Queen" 18
William Carlton, aged 20, a tailor, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"

Carlton 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:

Carlton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Hugh Carlton, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Miss Annie Carlton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th August 1881 19
Miss Bridget Carlton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th August 1881 19
Mr. Francis Carlton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th August 1881 19
Mr. James Carlton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th August 1881 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Carlton (post 1700) +

William Newnham Chattin Carlton (1873-1943), American librarian and historian who served as third librarian of the NewBerry Library of Chicago, from 1909 to 1920
Gaither Wiley Carlton (1901-1972), American Old-time fiddle player and banjo player
Linwood Wray Carlton (b. 1937), former American collegiate and CFL professional football running back
Larry Carlton (b. 1948), American studio guitarist, best known for working with Steely Dan, the Crusaders and Joni Mitchell in the 1970s
Vanessa Lee Carlton (b. 1980), American soft rock/Piano pop singer, songwriter
William A. Carlton, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Marine Corps, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Doyle Elam Carlton (1885-1972), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Florida State Senate, 1917-19; Governor of Florida, 1929-33; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 1948, 1952, 1956 20
Douglas Carlton, American politician, Supervisor of Flint Township, Michigan, 2007 20
Charles E. Carlton, American politician, Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Marlborough, 1956 20
Caleb C. Carlton, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Souris, 1897-98 20
... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Carlton family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. John Barrie Carlton (1933-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Otautau, Southland Plains, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 21

North Sea Flood

T. S. Carlton, British worker aboard the trawler "Sheldon" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
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.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/egyptian
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SEA QUEEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850SeaQueen.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx