James Paton (1522 – 1596) was a 16th-century Scottish cleric from , Kinross. He matriculated at St Salvator's College, University of St Andrews on 26 November 1540. He was a supporter of the Scottish Reformation of 1560, and in 1565 became Minister of Muckhart parish, Clackmannanshire. Paton returned to his old parish of Muckhart, though not in the capacity of a minister. He died there on 20 July 1596. He is known to have had four children, including Archibald Paton, who served in Dunkeld Cathedral during his father's episcopate.