KINGSTON
Kingston
Kingston is a locational surname of English origin derived from multiple places in England and Scotland. The name derives from the Old English words cyning meaning 'king' and tūn meaning 'settlement' or 'estate', denoting a settlement associated with a king or royal estate.
Origins
The surname Kingston can be traced back to various locations in England, such as Kingston upon Thames in Surrey, Kingston St. Mary in Somerset, and Kingston on Hull in Yorkshire. Additionally, Kingston is also found as a surname in Scotland, likely originating from places like Kingston in East Lothian.
History
The surname Kingston has ancient roots in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the medieval period. Individuals bearing the name Kingston have been documented in historical records, including land deeds, parish registers, and census data.
Notable bearers of the surname Kingston include British author W. H. G. Kingston, known for his adventure stories for boys, and Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Ben Ainslie, whose full name is Sir Charles Benedict Ainslie.
Distribution
The surname Kingston is dispersed across the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions corresponding to the historical locations from which it originated. It is also found in former British colonies due to migration patterns.
Variants
Variants of the surname Kingston include Kingstone, Kingstoun, and Kington. These variations arose from differences in dialects and local pronunciations over time.
In contemporary times, the surname Kingston continues to be held by individuals worldwide, contributing to the rich tapestry of British surnames and reflecting the historical ties to royal estates and settlements associated with kings.
There are approximately 6,076 people named Kingston in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,558th most common surname in Britain. Around 93 in a million people in Britain are named Kingston.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Joanne
- Laura
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.