Dalton — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Daltún
Meaning: 'from Alton (d'Alton), a place in England'
Traditional stronghold: Westmeath, Tipperary
Pronunciation: DAWL-tun; Irish Daltún: dal-TOON
History of the Dalton name
The Daltons are Anglo-Normans, originally d'Alton, who came to Ireland in the wake of the 12th-century invasion and received extensive lands in Co. Westmeath, where the barony of Rathconrath was long known as Daltons' Country. Like many Norman families of the midlands they became thoroughly gaelicised, feuding and intermarrying with their Irish neighbours, and lost their estates in the upheavals of the 17th century, after which branches scattered into Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, where the name is now well rooted. Daltons served prominently in the armies of France and Austria after the Williamite defeat, and in the 20th century the name was borne by soldiers, churchmen and playwrights of note.
Variants: D'Alton · Daughton · Dalton
Famous bearers of the name
- Emmet Dalton — Free State general who was beside Michael Collins at Béal na Bláth and later co-founded Ardmore Film Studios.
- John D'Alton — Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh from 1946 to 1963.
- Louis D'Alton — Playwright and theatre producer whose work was a staple of the Abbey stage in the 1940s.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: O'Brien · Ryan · Kennedy · Daly · Carroll · Hogan · Tobin · Keating