 The parish of Talaton covers an area of 965 hectares (2,384 acres).Its total population was estimated to be 590 in 2012 

The name Talaton ("Taleton" DB 1086) means 'farmstead on the River Tale', a tributary of the River Otter, whose name is in turn derived from the Old English word "getæl" meaning 'quick, active or swift'.The village has a public house, the Talaton Inn; a manor house, Talaton House; a church, St James the Great, and a village hall.