Surname Carleton - Meaning and Origin

Carleton: What does the surname Carleton mean?

The surname Carleton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English terms 'ceorl', meaning 'peasant' or 'freeman', and 'tun', referring to 'settlement' or 'town'. Thus, Carleton can be translated to 'a settlement of peasants.' It is a geographical or locational surname, typically given to individuals living in or associated with a place by the same name. There are various locations named Carleton across England, and the surname possibly refers to any one of them. The earliest recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Karleton from the year 1219, during the reign of King Henry III of England. Over the years, there have been several variations in the spelling of the surname including Carlton, Charleton, Carleton, and others. It's also widespread in Ireland where it was introduced by English settlers.

Carleton: Where does the name Carleton come from?

The surname Carleton is of English origin and it is a variant of Carlton. The name is derived from Old English terms "ceorl," meaning "peasant" and "tun," meaning "settlement or village." Therefore, it generally means "settlement of peasants." The name suggests that the original bearers of the surname hailed from a peasant village in England.

It has various spellings which include Carlton, Carleton, Charlton, and many more, each depending on the lineage and region of the family. Many names were also changed slightly as many people emigrated to different countries and regions over the centuries.

Today, the surname Carleton is found most commonly in the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. Therefore, individuals with this surname are likely to have ancestry from these countries, particularly England. However, as with many surnames, the distribution has spread worldwide due to global movements and migrations. The Carleton surname isn't especially common, but it is most frequently found in Northumberland and Durham counties in England, and in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in the United States.

Variations of the surname Carleton

The surname Carleton has various spellings, variations, and derived forms due the influence of different languages, regions, and historical factors. Some variants of this surname that may represent the same family lineage include Carlton, Charlton, Carletun, Carliton, Carllton, and Carletone.

The derivations of the surname have the same root, traditionally originating from England. The surname Carleton and its variants could appear different between English and other languages due to pronunciation or translation factors.

As the name is locational, stemming from several places in England named Carleton or Carlton, it is common for surnames of the same origin to take on the spelling of the specific location they are associated with, thus leading to additional variants and spellings.

The surname Carleton could also be linked to the Old Norman personal name 'Carl' or 'Charles', which means 'man', and 'tun' meaning 'settlement or farm' in Old English. This implies that the surname could be subject to variants that represent these words in different languages or cultures.

In summary, Carlton, Charlton, Carletun, Carliton, Carllton, and Carletone are just a few of the possible variants and spellings of the surname Carleton due to diverse influences.

Famous people with the name Carleton

• Guy Carleton: He was a British soldier and governor. He led British forces during the American Revolutionary War and served twice as Governor-General of Canada.
• Thomas Carleton: He was a British army officer and colonial administrator who served as the first Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, Canada.
• Chris Carleton: She's a famous actress known for "Lillian" in The Big Picture (1989), and "Mrs. Skinner" in Yanks (1979).
• Henry Carleton: He was a notable Irish scientist, physicist and mathematician of the 17th century.
• Will Carleton: An American poet from Michigan. Best known for his poems about his rural life.
• Dudley Carleton: A diplomat and statesman during the reign of James I in England.
• William Carleton: A famous Irish writer of the 19th century known for his portrayals of rural Ireland.
• Kenneth Carleton: A celebrated Anglican Bishop in England during the early 20th century.
• Steve Carleton: A former professional American baseball player nicknamed "Lefty". He won the Cy Young Award four times during his career.
• Sarah Carleton: A modern-day American author, known for her work "Conversations With Perfect Strangers".
• Ora Carleton: A late American actress known for "The Society Exile" (1919), and "Destiny" (1915).

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