Get access to Railton family records.Start a free trial

Railton Family History

Railton Name Meaning

English (northern): possibly a variant of Relton a habitational name perhaps from Wrelton (North Yorkshire). The origin of the placename is uncertain but it may derive from Old English wearg ‘felon’ + hyll ‘hill’ + tūn ‘farmstead estate’. However Railton in northwestern England and central Scotland may have a different but unexplained origin and Relton in northeastern England may be a later variant of Railton influenced by association with the North Yorkshire placename Wrelton.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Kilton, Bilton, Rampton, Halton, Dalton, Carlton, Hamilton, Hilton

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Railton family from?

You can see how Railton families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Railton family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Railton families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1911 there were 24 Railton families living in Ontario. This was about 80% of all the recorded Railton's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Railton families in 1911.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Railton surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Railton

What did your Railton ancestors do for a living?

View Census Data for Railton | Data not to scale

Top Male Occupations In 1921

Farmer
57%
Labourer
19%
Fruit Grower
13%
Clerk
13%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

Nurse
100%

Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Railton family records will you find?

Census Records
There are 14,000 census records available for the last name Railton. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Railton census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.
Search Canadian census records for Railton
Passenger Lists
There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Railton. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.
View all Railton immigration records
Draft Cards
There are 924 military records available for the last name Railton. For the veterans among your Railton ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.
View all Railton military records

Census Records

There are 14,000 census records available for the last name Railton. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Railton census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Railton

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Railton. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Railton immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 924 military records available for the last name Railton. For the veterans among your Railton ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Railton military records

You've only scratched the surface of Railton family history

Discover More

What is the average Railton lifespan?

Between 1961 and 2004, in the United States, Railton life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1972, and highest in 1984. The average life expectancy for Railton in 1961 was 59, and 87 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Railton

Browse profiles of historical people with the Railton last name