The English surname Norton is an habitational name from any of the many places so called, from the Old English terms norð meaning “north” and  tun meaning “an enclosure, or a settlement.” he first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Osuuardus de Nordtone, which was dated 1086, in the "Domesday Book of Kent." Other early recordings include: Leofwin de Norton (Lincolnshire, 1177), and Ralph de Norton (Yorkshire, 1273). Among the several interesting namebearers mentioned in the "Dictionary of National Biography" are Sir John Norton (deceased 1534), knight of the body to Henry V111, and Caroline Norton (1808 - 1877), afterwards Lady Stirling-Maxwell, a poetess, distinguished for her beauty and wit.