Alton is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:David Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool, British politician Ernest Alton (1873–1952), Irish professor and politician John Alton (1901–1996), American Academy Award-winning cinematographer Joseph W. Alton (1919–2013), American politician and state senator Lily Alton-Triggs, Australian rower Robert Alton (1906–1957), American dancer and choreographer Roger Alton, British journalist and former editor of The Independent