The surname of BOLTEN was a locational name 'of Bolton or Boulton' parishes, townships and chapelries in various counties, mostly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Local surnames, by far the largest group, derived from a place name where the man held land or from the place from which he had come, or where he actually lived. These local surnames were originally preceded by a preposition such as "de", "atte", "by" or "in". The names may derive from a manor held, from working in a religious dwelling or from literally living by a wood or marsh or by a stream. Following the Crusades in Europe a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by those of noble blood, who realised the prestige and practical advantage it would add to their status.
Early records of the name mention Michael de Bolton 1273 who was documented in County Yorkshire. Agnes de Bolton of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. During the Middle Ages, when people were unable to read or write, signs were needed for all visual identification. For several centuries city streets in Britain were filled with signs of all kinds, public houses, tradesmen and even private householders found them necessary. This was an age when there were no numbered houses, and an address was a descriptive phrase that made use of a convenient landmark. At this time, coats of arms came into being, for the practical reason that men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way.
Later instances of the name include that in 1688 Hugh Bolton registered at Oxford University and George Bolton married Ann Bowker at St. George's Chapel, Mayfair in 1766.
The associated arms are recorded in Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.
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