Lawton is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alexander Lawton (1818–1896), division commander in the American Civil War
April Lawton (1948–2006), musician and graphic designer
Barbara Lawton (1951–), American politician
Ben Lawton (1922–1987), American surgeon and healthcare activist
Charlwood Lawton (1660–1721), radical British lawyer turned Jacobite
Edward Thaddeus Lawton (1913-1966), American-born Catholic bishop in Nigeria
Sir Frederick Lawton (1911-2001), English judge
Geoff Lawton, Australian permaculturist
Harold Lawton (1899–2005), British scholar
Harry Lawton (1927–2005), American author and novelist
Henry Ware Lawton (1843–1899), US Army officer
J. F. Lawton (1960–), American writer, producer and director
Jimmy Lawton (1942–), English footballer
John Lawton (biologist) (1943–), British scientist and chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
John Lawton (footballer) (1936–), English footballer
John Lawton (musician) (1946–), British rock and roll singer
Joseph Lawton (1857–1934), New Zealand cricketer
Kayne Lawton (born 1989), Australian Rugby League player
Lancelot Lawton (1885-1947), English journalist, publicist
Matt Lawton (1971–), American baseball player
Russ Lawton, American drummer
Samuel T. Lawton, US Major General
Scott Lawton (conductor) (1960–), American conductor
Stefanie Lawton (1980–), Canadian curler
Tommy Lawton (1919–1996), English footballer
Captain Wilbur Lawton (1879–1917), pseudonym of author John Henry Goldfrap
