The name Shelton is of English origin and has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "scelf", which means "shelter" or "protection". The name was originally given as a surname to people who lived in sheltered locations, such as valleys or hollows.
The name Shelton gained prominence during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. William the Conqueror brought many Normans with him to England, and among them were several families with the name Shelton. Over time, these families became prominent landowners and played significant roles in English history.
One notable family was the Shelton baronets of Yorkshire, who traced their lineage back to the 14th century. They held extensive lands in the north of England and were known for their loyalty to the crown. Sir William Shelton, who fought alongside Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, was a notable member of this family.
The name Shelton was also associated with several prominent figures during the Tudor period. Lady Margaret Shelton was a cousin of Catherine of Aragon and served as one of her ladies-in-waiting. Sir Anthony Shelton was a soldier and politician who served under both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
Today, Shelton is still predominantly used as a surname, although it has become more popular as a given name in recent years. It remains a strong and distinctive name with a rich historical heritage.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Shelton has seen a varied number of births in the United States over several decades.
Starting from the year 1943, there were 5 births with this name. This number remained consistent for the next few years, with another 5 births recorded in 1949. There was then a gap of nearly two decades before the name Shelton appeared again on birth records, this time with 7 births in 1963.
The following years saw fluctuations in the number of babies named Shelton. In 1966, there were 8 births with this name, followed by 7 births in 1969 and 6 births in 1972. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a consistent average of around 6-7 births per year for the name Shelton.
Interestingly, there was another significant gap in the usage of this name between 1987 and 1993, with no recorded births during these years. However, it resurged in the late 1990s, with a peak of 9 births in 1997. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with an average of around 6-8 births per year.
More recently, there were 5 births each in 2008 and 2013, indicating that the name Shelton is still being used, albeit less frequently than it was during its peak years. Overall, from 1943 to 2013, there have been a total of 172 births with this name in the United States.
These statistics provide an interesting snapshot into the changing trends and popularity of the name Shelton over time in the U.S.