History of the SHELTON Surname*
The surname SHELTON is evidently a local one, signifying either the enclosure or town abounding in shells, or the enclosure, dwelling or town of Schelte or Shelto, of there was such an Anglo Saxon forename, which is not imporobable, as Schelte was an old Frisian name, and Scheltinga, i. e., Schelte's son, is still a West Friesland family name.
There are places called Shelton in at least four counties of England, and seven coats of arms to the surname are given in Burke's Armory; but from the slight differences between some of them, they appear to be but variations of three original coats.
The principal family of the name in England, who derived their appellation from the village of Shelton (sceltuna in Domesday), County Norfolk, were early settled at Stradbrooke in Suffolk.
John De Shelton appears to be the first on record. By deed, without date, he tied his manor of Stradbrooke to the Prior of Butle, and John, his son, confirmed it. In 1215, Nicholas De Shelton had purchased an estate in Weybred, and then one of the rebelling Barons against King John.
Sir Ralph De Shelton was knighted at the battle of Crecy, in 1346. He married Joan, daughter of John De Plais, and dying in 1373, was buried in the chancel of St. Mary's church at Shelton, under a monument bearing his effigy in armor complete, with this epitaph:
"Pryez pour l'ame du Monsieur Raulf De Shelton le pere jadis Maister de Ceste Ville qui morust le XVII jour de Novembre l'an de Grace MCCCLXXIII et pour le femme Fil du Monsieur Plays."
"Le Corps du quel gist ici
Dieu de Son ame eit Merci."
In 1504, Sir John Shelton, Knight of the Bath, was High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. His son, Sir John Shelton, served the same office, which was also held in 1570, by Sir Ralph Shelton.
The estates continued in the family until 1694. Shelton Hall, a noble mansion, has long been in ruins.**
*From REUNION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF DANIEL SHELTON by E. N. Shelton, 1877
**New Eng. Hist. & Genl. Reg., July, 1857