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, 'Inscip' appeared to have belonged to the 'Carleton's and the Butler's'.   The name  - derived from the Olde English 'ceorlatun' - carries a significant historical connection to place names.

  It is a habitation-al surname from any of the various places named Carlton in (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Durham, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, East Yorkshire, Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire) or Carleton (Cumberland, Lancashire, Norfolk, Yorkshire).

  Carlton is of Old English origin with Old Norse influence. Etymology wise, it can be traced to the Old English words ‘ceorl' (‘karl’ in Norse) meaning ‘freeman’, ‘villein’ or 'peasant' and 'tūn' meaning 'settlement' or ‘town'.

  Together, Carlton translates to; ‘from the town/village of the free men’. This name sheds light on the historical significance of social classes and demographics in medieval England, where names often represented one's occupation or social status.

  Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to develop, often leading to variants of the original spelling.

  While its appearance in history demonstrates connections to specific locations and social standings, the usage of Carlton as a first name, in contemporary times. can reflect family heritage, or convey a sense of ambition towards freedom and independence.

  Places spelled Carl(e)ton (as opposed to Charlton) are in areas of Scandinavian settlement, mostly in northern England.  

  Other early examples of the surname include Elsi de Carleton (1031), Osmund de Carleton (1163), Hugh de Carleton (1240, Warwickshire) and Reginald de Karleton (1272), the last named in the 'Lincolnshire Hundred Rolls', during the reign of King Edward I (1272 - 1307). 

  In 1273, the 'Hundredorum Rolls' included Geoffrey de Karlton (Bedfordshire), John de Carleton (Lincolnshire).

Anabella de Carleton,  Thomas de Carleton and Johannes de Carleton, all appeared in the 1379 Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls.

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