Tarleton or Tarlton is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Banastre Tarleton (1754–1833), English soldier and politicianCullie Tarleton, American businessman and politicianDonald K. Tarlton (born 1943), Canadian businessmanGael Tarleton (born 1959), American politicianJohn Tarleton (American settler) (ca. 1808–1895), American rancherJohn Tarleton (Royal Navy officer) (1811–1880), British naval officerKen Tarleton (1900–1984), Australian rugby union playerNel Tarleton (1906–1956), English boxerRichard Tarlton (died 1588), English actor