Triton was a merman in Greek mythology, messenger god of the sea and son of Poseidon and Amphitrite. He had a conch shell which he used as a trumpet in order to tame the waves to his volition.
Gradually, the name Triton started being used to describe a class of creatures similar to mermaids and of either sex, who served as followers of other sea deities.
Tritons were considered to be the trumpeters of the sea. Sometimes, they were also considered the equivalent of satyrs in marine environments.