Carlton m
English: transferred use of the surname, which is of the same origin as CHARLTON (SEE Charlton), being derived from any of various places (in Beds., Cambs., Co. Durham, Leics., Lincs., Northants, Notts., Suffolk, and Yorks.) named with the Old English elements ceorl (free) man + tūn settlement, i.e. ‘settlement of the free peasants’. The initial /k/ sound is the result of Anglo-Scandinavian influence.
First names dictionary. 2012.