Hamilton described the change as "too drastic" and the "worst-looking" modification in Formula 1 history.
John Surtees' son Henry died during a Formula Two race in 2009 after being struck on the head by a stray tyre.
"I suffered the tragedy of losing Henry which certainly could've been prevented by a development like this," he said.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel had said the device can be as "ugly as possible" as long as it helps save lives. The German also thinks Henry Surtees would "still be around if we had this type of system".
John Surtees, who won the 1964 drivers' championship with Ferrari, said: "Lewis could perhaps think a little more about the 'halo' and think about the responsibility he does have as a world champion.
"Change comes about and sometimes changes are forced upon one. It may be that the governing body, just because of the momentum and the fact that they have gone this way, will have no option but to impose these regulations.
"Henry was hit by a wheel that weighed 28kg so there would have been a chance there [had a 'halo' been installed]."
McLaren's Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, says the 'halo' device is a "necessary" step.
"It will be the future of F1, because we cannot afford any serious injury or fatal accident as we had in the last two years," said the two-time world champion, referring to the fatal injuries sustained by Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson.
"I know the 'halo' is a little extreme in terms of aesthetics - maybe a canopy or other solution is found in the next couple of months - but hopefully next year we have one of these systems in all the cars."
Read more about the 'halo' here

Officers on patrol in the Drylaw area observed a green light coming from Marine Drive just before midnight.
Edinburgh Airport later confirmed that a pilot had reported a laser pen incident during the plane's descent.
A 16-year-old boy and four females, aged 16, 17, 19 and 22, who were in two vehicles in Marine Drive, were arrested.
They will all appear in court at a later date.
Ch Insp Mark Rennie, of Police Scotland, said: "The use of laser pens to distract or obscure the vision of a pilot is an extremely serious offence, which can have very serious consequences.
"We regularly patrol roads below approach routes to deter offenders and respond quickly to any notifications from pilots.
"Anyone found committing this offence will be arrested and charged'.

Market Cross Jewellers on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough was targeted on Tuesday by men carrying what were thought to be axes.
No-one was injured, and police have not released any details of what was taken.
In November, watches, and diamonds worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were stolen during a raid at the store's branch in Yarm.
A 24-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on 8 January in connection with that robbery and later bailed pending further inquiries.
Temporary Det Ch Insp John Ward said: "There are clearly similarities between [yesterday's] robbery and the one that took place in Yarm in November and numerous lines of inquiry are being pursued in both cases.
"Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen, or have knowledge of, a silver Citroen C Crosser motor vehicle bearing the registration plates MK60 XCD.
"We believe this vehicle was involved in the [Middlesbrough] robbery and it was later discovered abandoned in the car park next to Leader timber merchants on Newport Road, Middlesbrough.
"We would also appeal to local hoteliers and to those who run local bed and breakfast venues to alert us should they have had any guests who may have raised their suspicions over recent days and who may have spoken with a North West accent."
Lewis Hamilton has been urged to change his stance on the new 'halo' head protection device by former world champion John Surtees.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Five people have been charged after a laser pen was shone at an aircraft in Edinburgh on Friday.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
An armed raid at a jewellers could be linked to one at another branch three months ago, police have said.