Find out how popular the last name Shelton is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Shelton.

Shelton, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Shelton surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shelton in America

Shelton is the 344th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shelton surname appeared 90,517 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 31 people would have the surname Shelton.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shelton to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Shelton

The surname Shelton has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, specifically around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "scylf" or "scelf," meaning "shelf" or "ledge," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a settlement or dwelling located on a ledge or shelf-like area.

One of the earliest known references to the name Shelton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Scelftuun" in Bedfordshire. This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of land and the names of landowners and tenants at the time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "Scheltun," "Sheltone," and "Sheltun." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that period.

Shelton is also associated with several place names in England, such as Shelton in Bedfordshire, Shelton in Staffordshire, and Shelton in Nottinghamshire. These place names likely influenced the development and spread of the surname.

One notable individual bearing the surname Shelton was John Shelton (c. 1472-1539), an English courtier and landowner during the Tudor period. He served as a member of the Privy Council under King Henry VIII and played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of the time.

Another prominent figure was Richard Shelton (c. 1578-1642), an English poet and translator known for his works such as "A Remonstrance Against Romish Ceremonies." He is considered one of the metaphysical poets of the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Samuel Shelton (1753-1808) was a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral and was renowned for his bravery and leadership.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Sarah Shelton (1839-1919), an American artist and author who gained recognition for her illustrations and writings about Native American life and culture.

Additionally, Willard Shelton (1900-1985) was an American football player and coach who played for the University of Michigan and later coached at several universities, including Ohio State and Northwestern.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Shelton throughout history, demonstrating its deep roots and widespread recognition across various fields and time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shelton

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Shelton.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Shelton was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Shelton has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Shelton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shelton, please contact us.

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