Alton is an English surname derived from Old English words 'al' meaning 'all' and 'tun', signifying 'estate' or 'enclosure'. It originally denoted someone who lived at such a place, particularly in the area around Derbyshire. The name can also be traced back to Scotland where it was borne by a Border Clan of Scottish descent. Alton is not commonly used as a first name but has been known to appear occasionally throughout history.
The name Alton experienced a significant increase in popularity between the years 1904 and 1928, with a peak of 16 births in 1920. However, this was followed by a steady decline in usage, dropping to as low as 5 births per year during several periods from 1932 onwards. Despite fluctuations, Alton has remained consistently present among newborns over the century, with a total of 376 births recorded between 1904 and 1989.