The clan takes its name from the barony of Fullerton in Dundonald parish in Ayrshire.
Fullarton House, Ayrshire, was built by William Fullarton of that Ilk in 1745. However, it was demolished in 1966.
Alanus de Fowlertoun (d.1280) founded and endowed out of his lands a convent of Carmelite, or White Friars at Irvine. His son, Adam de Fowlerton, had a charter of the lands of Foullartoun and Gaylis in Kyle Stewart from James the High Steward around 1283.
A branch of the family settled in Arran, and are said to have had a charter of the lands of Kilmichael in 1307 from Robert I.
In 1327 Robert I granted to Galfridus de Foullertoune the land of Foullertoun in the sheriffdom of Forfar.
The estate was held by the family for over 120 years, after which they relocated to the parish of Meigle which was henceforth called Fullarton.