NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Barton

A masculine English name derived from an Old English place name meaning "barn town".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Barton is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Barton popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2901, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 1998. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Barton. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1999 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Barton ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 boys were registered as Barton.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Barton as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2901

1998

Births in 1998

3

Latest year

Peak year

1996

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Barton mean?

The name Barton has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the words "bere" meaning "barley" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "enclosure". It was a common name given to those who lived or worked on farms or estates where barley was cultivated. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 11th century in England.

Barton was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxon nobility and landed gentry, as it reflected their connection to the land and agricultural pursuits. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Barton of Bury St Edmunds, a prominent landowner and benefactor in Suffolk, England, who lived in the late 11th century.

The name gained further prominence during the Middle Ages, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such figure was Barton Woodhouse, a 14th-century English prelate who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1363 to 1366.

In the 15th century, Barton Holyday was a renowned English scholar and theologian who authored several works on religious subjects. He was a fellow of Oxford University and later became the Bishop of Chichester in 1472.

During the Tudor period, Barton Leigh was a prominent English diplomat and courtier who served under King Henry VIII. He played a significant role in the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Ardres in 1546, which established a temporary peace between England and France.

In the realm of literature, Barton Booth was an 18th-century English actor and playwright, known for his portrayal of Shakespearean characters. He was born in 1681 and is remembered for his contributions to the development of English theater.

Lastly, Barton Paulk was an American baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1976. He was born in 1937 and is best known for his time with the Houston Astros, where he played a crucial role in establishing the franchise in its early years.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Barton over time

The chart below shows babies named Barton registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 1998. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Barton, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 1998, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Barton
01223199619971998

Decades

Barton by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Barton was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
1990s #2882 6 2

Related

Names similar to Barton

FAQ

Barton: questions and answers

How popular is the name Barton in the UK right now?

In 1998, Barton was ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Barton most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Barton in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Barton?

A masculine English name derived from an Old English place name meaning "barn town".

How many people are called Barton in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Barton across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.