James Paton may refer to:
James Paton (bishop) (1522–1596), Bishop of Dunkeld, Scotland James Paton (editor) of Hobart, Australia James Paton (museologist) (1843–1921), Scottish James Paton (seaman) (1869–1917/18), Scottish-born seaman who sailed to the Antarctic James Paton (Prince Edward Island politician) (1853–1953), Scottish-born merchant and political figure in Prince Edward Island James Paton (sport shooter) (born 1957), Canadian sport shooter James Alexander Paton (c. 1885–1946), newspaper owner and politician in British Columbia
See also James Patton (disambiguation) James A. Patten (1852–1928), American financier and grain merchant