John Atherton (c. 1557 – 1617), of Atherton Hall, Leigh, Lancashire, was a landowner and an English politician. He was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1582,[1] and became a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Lancashire in 1586 and for Lancaster in 1589.[2] His term in office coincided with the Spanish Armada and he was appointed captain of the Lancashire and Cheshire forces. He was 7th in descent from Sir William Atherton MP for the same county in 1381.[3]