Fulton

Fulton is a surname and a place name used in many English-speaking countries. The name is associated with a number of figures in politics, science, and culture, among whom Robert Fulton (1765–1815) is the best known. Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who developed the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont, and helped popularize steam navigation in the United States.

Geographically, Fulton names are common in the United States. Dozens of towns bear the name, including Fulton in Mississippi, Missouri, New York, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas, among others. The term also designates several counties, such as Fulton County in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, among others.

Beyond towns and counties, Fulton appears in various other contexts, including school districts, streets, and neighborhoods, often named to honor local history or notable individuals bearing the surname. The name continues to be used in place naming, institutions, and cultural references across the world.