The given name Fulton has its origins in the Old English language and can be traced back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the Old English words "ful" meaning "bird" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement". Thus, the name Fulton originally referred to a person who lived near an enclosure or settlement where birds were kept.

During the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, the name Fulton was relatively common, particularly in the regions of Northumbria and Mercia. It was often used as a descriptive surname, indicating a person's occupation or place of residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fulton can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership in England conducted in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Fultun" in several entries, suggesting its widespread use at the time.

In the medieval period, the name Fulton gained popularity among the nobility and gentry classes. Notable historical figures bearing this name include Fulton of Fulton, a 12th-century Norman nobleman who accompanied King Richard I on the Third Crusade to the Holy Land.

During the Renaissance, the name Fulton continued to be used, particularly in England and Scotland. One prominent individual was Robert Fulton, a Scottish-American engineer and inventor born in 1765. He is best known for developing the first commercially successful steamboat, which he demonstrated on the Hudson River in 1807.

Another famous bearer of the name was Fulton John Sheen, an American bishop and theologian born in 1895. He was a prolific writer and popular television personality, hosting the long-running program "Life is Worth Living" in the 1950s.

In the 20th century, Fulton J. Redden was an American jurist born in 1905, who served as a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Finally, Fulton Cutting was an American businessman and philanthropist born in 1865, who played a pivotal role in the development of New York City's subway system and was a prominent supporter of various charitable causes.