Show ContentsCarton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Carton

What does the name Carton mean?

The name Carton has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in the village of Carden in the county of Cheshire. This surname is derived from the Old English word cairn which was a rock structure, often as simple as a small pile of stones, serving as a memorial or marker of an important place. The surname may have also used been used as a nickname for a stubborn person. In such a case, it would have been derived from the word Cardon, meaning thistle.

Early Origins of the Carton family

The surname Carton was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Carton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carton research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Carton have been found, including Carden, Cardon, Cardin, Cawarden and others.

Early Notables of the Carton family

More information is included under the topic Early Carton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carton Ranking

In France, the name Carton is the 973rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,389 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Carton family to Ireland

Some of the Carton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Carton migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Carton, or a variant listed above:

Carton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Carton who landed in America in 1751
  • John Carton, who landed in Boston Massachusetts in 1764
Carton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Carton, who settled in New York in 1822
  • A. Carton, who settled in New York in 1823

Carton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard Carton, aged 70 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Camillia" departing 19th May 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 7th July 1847 but he died on board 2
  • Mr. Richard Carton, aged 4 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sisters" departing 22nd April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 20th June 1847 but he died on board 2

Carton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Carton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Michael Carton, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Carnatic"
  • William Carton, aged 18, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Carnatic"

Carton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Carton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel C. Carton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1881 3
  • Mr. William Carton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1881 3
  • Mr. John Carton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1881 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Carton (post 1700) +

  • Craig Harris Carton (b. 1969), American radio personality
  • Peter J. Carton, American Republican politician, Candidate for New Jersey State House of Assembly 12th District, 1975
  • John Jay Carton (b. 1856), American Republican politician, Bookkeeper; Genesee County Clerk, 1881-84; Lawyer; Law partner of George H. Durand; Banker; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Genesee County 2nd District, 1899-1904; Speaker of the Michigan State House of Representatives, 1901-04;
  • Augustus C. Carton (1871-1946), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State Senate 28th District, 1907-08; Michigan land commissioner, 1913-14
  • Bernard Carton (1948-2022), French politician of the Socialist Party who served in the General Council of Nord from 1979 to 2011, representing the Canton of Roubaix-Est
  • Fernand Carton (1921-2019), French linguist who specialized in Picardic dialects
  • Paul Carton (1875-1947), French physician
  • Noel Carton (b. 1981), Irish sportsperson
  • Michael Carton, Irish Hurling player for Dublin and O'Tooles GAC
  • Davy Carton (b. 1959), Irish singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Carton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fide et amore
Motto Translation: By fidelity and love.


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 68)
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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