Walton

Walton is a surname of English origin and a place name used for numerous settlements in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. The name is toponymic, typically derived from Old English elements in combinations meaning farm, village, or settlement, often associated with a nearby wood, wall, or other landscape feature. As a given name it is much less common than as a surname.

Notable bearers include the Walton family, owners of Walmart, one of the world's largest retailers. Sam Walton founded Walmart in 1962 and built a retail empire that expanded globally. His heirs, Rob Walton, Jim Walton, and Alice Walton, have continued to lead the family’s business interests and philanthropy. The surname appears in various public figures across politics, science, and the arts.

Walton is also the name of several places. In the United Kingdom there are towns and districts such as Walton-on-Thames in Surrey and Walton, Liverpool. In the United States, examples include Walton, Kentucky, and Walton, New York, among many others. The name is also used for neighborhoods, rivers, and institutions in other countries.

In popular culture, The Waltons, an American television series about a family named Walton, aired in the 1970s. The name continues to appear in literature, film, and academia as a surname and placename.