Atherton is a surname that is shared by several notable people, including:
Alfred Atherton (1921–2002), former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt
Bobby Atherton (1876–1917), Welsh footballer
Candy Atherton (born 1955), British journalist and politician
Charles G. Atherton (1804–1853), U.S. Representative and Senator from New Hampshire; son of Charles H. Atherton
Charles Humphrey Atherton (1773–1853), U.S. Representative from New Hampshire; father of Charles G. Atherton
Charlie Atherton (1874–1934), American baseball player
Dan Atherton (born 1982), British racing cyclist; brother of Gee and Rachel Atherton
David Atherton (born 1944), English conductor
Donny Atherton (born 1964), American BMX racer
Edwin Atherton (1896–1944), FBI agent and private investigator
Faxon Atherton (1815–1877), American businessman and landowner; father-in-law to Gertrude
G. F. A. Atherton, American politician
Gee Atherton (born 1985), British racing cyclist; brother of Dan and Rachel Atherton
George W. Atherton (1837–1906), president of the Pennsylvania State University
Gertrude Atherton (1857–1948), American writer
Gibson Atherton (1831–1887), U.S. Representative from Ohio
Howard Atherton (born 1947), English cinematographer
Jack Atherton (born 1917), English footballer
James Atherton (born 1872), English footballer
Jason Atherton (born c. 1971), English chef
John Atherton (1598–1640), Anglican Bishop
Julie Atherton (born 1978), British actress
Keith Atherton (born 1959), American baseball player
Mike Atherton (born 1968), former player and captain of the English cricket team
Nancy Atherton, American writer
Paul Atherton (born 1968), British television producer
Rachel Atherton (born 1987), British racing cyclist; sister of Dan and Gee Atherton
Ro Atherton (born c. 1962), Royal Air Force officer
Robert Atherton (1861–1930), English poet
Tim Atherton (born 1991), Australian baseball player
Tommy Atherton (1879–1955), English footballer
Walter Atherton, English footballer
Warren Atherton (1891–1976), father of the G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944)
William Atherton (born 1947), American actor
