The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the name Carlton derives from the Danish word Carl or Churl and the Saxon word Ceorl which commonly refer to "a man of common people, a countryman, a husbandman." Other definitions include, "a bondman, a villein (churl), a fellow of low or rude manners, a base fellow, one who is churlish or mean in money matters." In addition the name has also been used to apply as a definition of character indicating "no reference to rank or manners but including the notion of sturdiness, strength, and sometimes roughness." The suffix "tun" is an Anglo-Saxon term indicating a farmstead.

The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology provides a somewhat more universally accepted background for the Carlton name; "man, male, freeman, man of the people, from the time of Danish Kings in England."

A more complete etymological reference is given by Reaney in The Origin of English Surnames: "Carlton for Charlton - Scandinavian origin from Canute (King Cnut) men who obtained land in the south after the Norman Conquest."

Bishop, discussing Britain before the Norman Conquest of 1066 in The Middle Ages, perceived a churl as the ordinary man, a free man, not bound to the soil, but able to own land and sell it. He added that most churls were farmers, although some became specialists such as sailors or carpenters. Bishop also related that the 15th Century Lady Juliana Berners, records the common conviction of her time that Seth and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve, were gentlemen, but Cain was a churl and ancestor of the churls of the world. Christ, she says, was a gentleman on his mother's side.

Bardsley in A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances refers to Carlton meaning "of Carlton" with indication that there are 22 townships and parishes bearing the name in England. In actuality, there are at least 44 sites bearing the Carlton name or a close derivative such as Carleton or Charlton. At least 2 of these sites are within the region where our Carlton ancestors first appear.

The best definition of our name would seem to be from Elsdon C. Smith in his New Dictionary of American Family Names, with the definition of Carlton as "the one who came from Carlton - the homestead of the free peasants." Thus providing an occupational description for our name as "the one who came from the tun, or farmstead, of the Churl, or freeman." The tun was a Saxon stockade from the period between the Romans withdrawal (in 410) and the end of the Anglo-Saxon invasions (in 815). It was much like the forts that would be built centuries later in western North America. My sons were always delighted when I told them that the name Carlton means, "The rude boys from the fort."

This page was updated on 2-21-98. If you have queries or comments, email rcarlton@arkansas.net