Etymology and Historical RootsCarlton is an English masculine given name that serves as a variant of Charlton. The name Charlton itself derives from a surname originating from several Old English place names meaning 'settlement of free men', composed of the elements ceorl ('free man') and tūn ('settlement' or 'town'). Thus, Carlton carries the connotation of belonging to a community of free peasants. The spelling with a 'C' rather than 'Ch' is a common Anglicization, akin to the variant Carleton.Notable BearersCarlton has been borne by various figures in sports, entertainment, and public life. In baseball, Carlton Fisk (born 1947) is a Hall of Fame catcher whose long career spanned the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets. In football, Carlton Cole (born 1983) played for English clubs including Chelsea and West Ham United. The name also appears in music through Carlton Barrett (1950–1987), the rhythm drummer for Bob Marley and The Wailers. On screen, producer Carlton Cuse (born 1959) co‐created the television series Lost and Bates Motel. In American football, Carlton Davis (born 1996) has played as a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A darker association is Carlton Gary (1950–2018), a convicted serial killer in the United States.Cultural ContextCarlton experienced peak popularity in the United Kingdom and the United States during the middle decades of the 20th century. Its usage parallels common British and American given names used broadly across English-speaking countries.Related FormsWithin the family of given names, Carlton matches the elements as found in the surname/place name Charlton. The variant Carleton differs by spelling and shares identical etymology and meaning. The surname form Charlton also works as a given name via root.Meaning: Settlements of settlementsVersion: Given name (masculine)Region: English-speaking countriesRoot name: Charlton, originally a surname of towns having free‐, setter ‐ status);/li>