barton

Barton is a toponym and surname of English origin. The place name derives from Old English bere-tūn, meaning “barley farm” or “barley settlement,” reflecting agricultural origins. As a toponym, Barton is widely found across England, used for villages, districts, and civil parishes. The name was applied to locations independently, often indicating land once associated with barley cultivation. Notable examples include Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire and the Barton area in the city of Cambridge.

As a surname, Barton developed from the same toponymic source and was originally given to people living near or working on such barley lands. It is now common in English-speaking countries, with communities and families bearing the name in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Barton also appears in various international place names, reflecting British colonial and settler-era migrations. The form is occasionally found in other languages through transliteration, but the English-origin Barton remains the most widespread usage.

See also: Barton (disambiguation).