Meaning and origin
The last name Fulton originates from Scotland and England, deriving from the Old English pre 7th-century personal name "Fulla" or "Fugol" combined with the suffix "tun," meaning a settlement or enclosure. Over time, the name evolved to various spellings, including Fultoun and Foulton, before settling on Fulton.
The longer story
The last name Fulton can be traced back to its origins in Scotland and England. It is a surname that has a long history and carries with it various meanings and associations.
One of the key facts about the last name Fulton is its geographical association. The name is derived from the Old English words "fugol" and "tūn," which mean "bird" and "enclosure" or "settlement" respectively. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a bird sanctuary or a place where birds were kept.
Another interesting fact about the last name Fulton is its association with the Clan MacMillan in Scotland. It is believed that the name may have been an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "MacFhearghuis," which means "son of Fergus." This suggests a possible connection to the ancient Scottish King Fergus, adding a sense of historical significance to the name.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,083
Fulton was the 1,083rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 32,258 people, about 11 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Fulton
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Fulton is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.