Surname D'Alton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
D'Alton: What does the surname D'Alton mean?
The last name D'Alton is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name ÓAaltúin. It is an Anglicization of the Ó Altúin and D'Altúin. This name was likely derived from the Irish words “alt” meaning “noble” and “túin” meaning “valley.”
The D'Alton family originated in County Cork in the southern province of Ireland known as Munster. The D'Alton family held a hereditary title of nobility and were a prominent family during the medieval period in Ireland. The D'Alton family owned large tracts of land and were influential in Irish politics up through the eighteenth century.
The D’Alton coat of arms features two blue rampant lions on either side of a shield bearing a single six-pointed star. This design is indicative of the Family’s nobility and reflects their powerful status.
Today, the D'Alton family is still found throughout Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. Those with the surname are known for their strength of character, courage and leadership. They are highly respected members of their local communities and their heritage is something they are proud of.
Order DNA origin analysisD'Alton: Where does the name D'Alton come from?
The last name D’Alton is particularly common amongst families living in the midlands of Ireland. This surname was first found in County Meath, located in the Leinster province, where the first record of the name is found dating back to the 10th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic “Ó Debtúin” which literally means “descendants of Debtúin.” The original bearer of the name was a descendant of the tenth-century high king of Ireland, Donnchadh mac Flainn.
D’Alton families can still be found throughout Ireland, particularly in the counties of Galway, Waterford, Tipperary, Leitrim, and Kilkenny. It is also one of the most common surnames in countries like Australia and New Zealand, the US, and England, due to the influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th century.
Today, the family name continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Family members can even trace their ancestry to the original Donnchadh mac Flainn, thus maintaining strong ties to their Irish roots. Many well-known figures throughout the world have the name, including Australian TV personality Ben D'Alton, British actor Micky D'Alton, and the 16th century Irish knight Francis D'Alton.
Variations of the surname D'Alton
The surname D'Alton is derived from the French word for "from Alton", indicating that those who bore the surname were originally from the town of Alton in Hampshire, England. Variations of the surname include Dalton, Allton and Elton. Different spellings may include D'Alton, Dalten, Daulton, Daulten, D'Alten and Dallton.
There are also a variety of hyphenated surnames related to D’Alton, such as D'Alton-Dalton, Dalton-D'Alton, Allton-D'Alton and D'Alton-Allton. Other hyphenated variants include D'Alton-Elton, Elton-D'Alton, Dalton-Elton and Elton-Dalton.
There are also a number of patronymic surnames related to D'Alton, such as D'Altony, Daltoni, Alltony, Eltony and Dalltony. In some cases, these surnames can also be hyphenated to create double-barrelled names, such as D'Altony-Dalton, Daltony-D'Alton, Alltony-D'Alton, D'Altony-Allton and D'Altony-Elton.
The various variants and spelling variations of the D'Alton surname demonstrate the numerous ways families adopted the name over time. This is particularly true for hyphenated and patronymic surnames, which are often indicative of families of mixed ancestry or regional origin.
Famous people with the name D'Alton
- Emma D’Alton: actress, known for starring in ‘The Rising’
- John D’Alton: Irish lawyer and historian
- Henry D’Alton: 19th century Irish Liberal Party politician
- Kate D’Alton: British actress and singer
- John D’Alton: Bishop of Meath and scholar
- Charles Henry D’Alton: Irish physician
- John Dickson D’Alton: Policeman in 19th century India
- Michael J. D’Alton: Canadian politician
- Rona D’Alton: Canadian television producer, director, and artistic director
- Willie D’Alton: Irish Fine Gael politician and TD