Lawton is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alexander Lawton (1818–1896), division commander in the American Civil WarApril Lawton (1948–2006), musician and graphic designerBarbara Lawton (1951–), American politicianBen Lawton (1922–1987), American surgeon and healthcare activistCharlwood Lawton (1660–1721), radical British lawyer turned JacobiteEdward Thaddeus Lawton (1913-1966), American-born Catholic bishop in NigeriaSir Frederick Lawton (1911-2001), English judgeGeoff Lawton, Australian permaculturistHarold Lawton (1899–2005), British scholarHarry Lawton (1927–2005), American author and novelistHenry Ware Lawton (1843–1899), US Army officerJ. F. Lawton (1960–), American writer, producer and directorJimmy Lawton (1942–), English footballerJohn Lawton (biologist) (1943–), British scientist and chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental PollutionJohn Lawton (footballer) (1936–), English footballerJohn Lawton (musician) (1946–), British rock and roll singerJoseph Lawton (1857–1934), New Zealand cricketerKayne Lawton (born 1989), Australian Rugby League playerLancelot Lawton (1885-1947), English journalist, publicistMatt Lawton (1971–), American baseball playerRuss Lawton, American drummerSamuel T. Lawton, US Major GeneralScott Lawton (conductor) (1960–), American conductorStefanie Lawton (1980–), Canadian curlerTommy Lawton (1919–1996), English footballerCaptain Wilbur Lawton (1879–1917), pseudonym of author John Henry Goldfrap