Surname Shelton - Meaning and Origin

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S. Shelton

Shelton: What does the surname Shelton mean?

The last name Shelton is of English origin and is derived from habitational names. It is taken from various places in England which are named Shelton, mainly in Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire. The name itself translates to "ledge settlement" or "settlement on a bank", from Old English "scylf" meaning "shelf" or "ledge" and "tun" meaning "enclosure", "settlement" or "town". Hence, it originally referred to someone who lived in or was from such locations. Over time, as people moved around and took their village name as a surname, it has spread and can now be found throughout the English-speaking world. Just like many other surnames, it has various spelling forms including Skelton and Shilton, yet all share the same origins and meanings.

Shelton: Where does the name Shelton come from?

The last name Shelton is a popular surname in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Within the United States, the greatest concentration of Shelton's is found in the state of Tennessee. Tennessee is not only home to the largest number of Sheltons, but it is also the place where the name is believed to have originated, with the early migrants coming from the UK. Additionally, the states with the highest population of Sheltons in the US are Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.

Outside the United States, the last name Shelton is also popular in the United Kingdom, with the most frequent concentration in the Midlands and Scotland. In Canada, the highest concentration of Sheltons is found in Quebec, followed by Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Sheltons are also well represented in Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland. Finally, Sheltons in New Zealand are primarily concentrated in Wellington and Auckland.

Generally, those with the last name of Shelton tend to have strong family ties in the areas where the name is most common today. The surname Shelton is still widely used in America, the UK and in several other countries with a British influence.

Variations of the surname Shelton

Shelton is a surname of English origin that has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

One of the more popular variants of Shelton is Shelden. It is the most common spelling with the same origin as Shelton and is most likely derived from the Old English phrase "scēo" or "scylden," meaning "shield bearer." The suffix "ton" means "settlement," making the literal meaning of Shelden to be "shield bearer's settlement."

The spelling variant Shelto is also sometimes seen. This spelling is likely derived from the Middle English name "sceldtoun," meaning "the town one shields." It is essentially the same as the Shelton spelling, though the Middle English spelling was slightly different.

Several surnames of the same origin also exist, including Sheldrake, Shelbourne, Sheldrick, and Sheldryk. The names Sheldrake and Shelbourne derive from two different places in England, both of which were named after the shield bearer figure referred to earlier. The names Sheldrick and Sheldryk were both derived from the Middle English spelling of Shelton, "sceldtoun," and may have originally been used to distinguish different branches of one extended family.

Overall, Shelton is a surname of English origin with various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. While the literal meaning of the name is a "shield bearer's settlement," many of the related surname variants were derived from different places and figures in England that have been referenced over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Shelton

• Blake Shelton: Country music singer-songwriter and television judge.
• Matthew Shelton: Actor best known for his role in the movie Carlito’s Way.
• Kelly Shelton: Award-winning television producer and former Oprah Winfrey executive.
• Harry Shelton: American actor, stuntman, and stunt coordinator.
• Mario Shelton: Professional basketball player for the Miami Heat.
• Jean Shelton: American acting teacher, director, and acting coach.
• Randall Shelton, Jr.: American actor, writer, and producer.
• Don Shelton: Professional football player who played for the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.
• Henry Shelton: U.S. Army Major General and former commanders of United States Central Command.
• Michael Shelton: American film and television actor.

Other surnames

Sheltra