The name Elton is an English masculine given name derived from the Old English words "el" meaning "elder tree" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement". It essentially means "elder tree town" or a settlement near an elder tree.

In medieval times, the name was commonly spelled as Elton, Eltun, or Aeltun. It was a locational surname given to someone who lived near an elder tree settlement before becoming an established first name in its own right. The earliest recorded example of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a place name.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Elton of Beverley, an English Catholic saint who lived in the 11th century. He was a renowned hermit and monk known for his piety and asceticism. Another historical figure with the name was Sir Elton Wood (1592-1670), an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Elton gained popularity among the English gentry and nobility. Notable bearers include Sir Elton Hampden (1588-1634), an English politician and military commander who fought in the English Civil War, and Elton Broughton (1609-1681), an English writer and religious philosopher.

In more recent history, the name has been borne by several prominent individuals, including Elton Dean (1945-2006), an English saxophonist and composer known for his work in the jazz and rock genres, and Sir Elton John (born 1947), the internationally acclaimed English singer, songwriter, and composer.