This is a locational name which is of Olde English pre 7th Century origins and derives from the elements "Waer" a personal name, plus "Burg" meaning a hill or ancient fortress and "Tun" an enclosed area or farm as found in the village of "Warburton in Cheshire, which is the source of some of the modern surname. The name development and the recorded spelling variants includes the following:- Thomas Wallbutton, St. Olaves, Southwark, London July 28th 1661, Robert Walberton, St. Giles Cripplegate, June 4th 1673 and Thomas Wallbutton christened at Stochport Church on March 16th 1828. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gartericke Walburton, which was dated 1601, christened at St. Michaels, Macclesfield, Cheshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess, 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.