As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Local) Lerived from the town of Dalton, in Lancashire, England; a corruption of Dale-ton, the town in the dale; or D'Alton, abbreviated to Dalton, that is from the high or rocky hill.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

DALTON. Parishes and places in cos. Lancaster, Northumberland, Durham, York, Dumfries, Lanark, &:c. Dalton Hall, in the first named co., had owners of its own name temp. Edw. III. From them sprang the Daltons of Thuruham.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

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