Surname Carlton - Meaning and Origin

A Personal Journey Through Genes: Unveiling The Viking Heritage Behind The Surname Carlton

My iGENEA DNA test disclosed a wealth of knowledge on my ancestral background, vividly tied to the surname, Carlton. With evident traces in Western Europe and Scandinavia, my lineage paints a detailed account of a Viking heritage. This report intends to delve into the scientific findings and the historical implications of my DNA results.

Y. Carlton

Carlton: What does the surname Carlton mean?

The surname Carlton is of Anglo-Saxon origin that has both geographical and topographical meaning. It is derived from Old English words 'ceorl', meaning 'peasant' or 'freeman', and 'tūn', meaning 'farm', 'estate', or 'settlement'. Thus, Carlton essentially translates to 'the settlement of the peasants' or 'free men’s town'. It is also believed to refer to someone who lived in or was from a place called Carlton. There are multiple places called Carlton in England due to the commonness of its meaning. The surname made its way to other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with the British colonisers and settlers.

Carlton: Where does the name Carlton come from?

The surname Carlton is of English origin, coming from the Old Norse 'karl' meaning 'free man', and 'tun', meaning 'settlement or farm'. Thus, Carlton can be translated as 'the settlement of free men'. It's derived from numerous places named Carlton in England, including towns in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, and more.

As such, the name Carlton is often classified as a locational surname, typically given to individuals who lived in or were associated with these towns. It first came into regular use as a surname in the Middle Ages and grew in popularity over time.

While the surname has spread worldwide, it remains most common in English-speaking countries. This includes the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Among these, it is notably common in the northern regions of England, aligning with the distribution of towns named Carlton in the country.

Variations of the surname Carlton

The surname Carlton is of English origin, derived from various places in England named Carlton. The name refers to 'settlement of free men' from Old Norse 'karl' (free man) and 'tun' (settlement or farm). Variants can be based on geographical location, phonetic spelling, or adopted due to emigration and translation.

Carlton has a few alternate spellings and variations including Carleton, Charlton, Carltun, and Caerlton. Carlton might also be spelled as Karlton influenced by the German equivalent Karl, meaning free man. Carleton could have emerged from settlements of different pronunciations in parts of England.

As the surname moved across countries and regions, it may have evolved differently based on language and dialect. The surnames McClure and McCarles could have origins linked to Carlton, incorporating the 'Karl' root within a Gaelic structure.

However, keep in mind that surnames can be deceptive. While they may look or sound similar, they might not have the same origin. Genealogical studies and family history research are necessary to confirm the familial connections and origin of a surname, especially in cases where there have been multiple influences.

Famous people with the name Carlton

• Vanessa Carlton: an American singer-songwriter and pianist best known for her hit song, "A Thousand Miles".
• Steve Carlton: a former professional baseball player who is considered one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history.
• Carl Carlton: an American R&B, soul, and funk singer and songwriter.
• Carlton Cuse: a television writer and producer; notable works include the TV series “Lost” and “Bates Motel”.
• Larry Carlton: a renowned American jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, blues, pop, and rock guitarist.
• Carlton Pearson: a former Pentecostal televangelist and a current minister and author.
• Carlton Cole: a former English professional footballer who played as a striker.
• Linda Carlton: a fictional character from a series of novels in the 1930s and 40s.
• Carlton Myers: a retired Italian-English professional basketball player.
• Carlton Fisk: a former Major League Baseball catcher and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Carlton Morris: an English professional footballer who plays as a striker.
• Carlton Davis: an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.
• Carlton Leach: a former English football hooligan, and later a security professional.

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