LIVINGSTON
Livingston
Livingston is a Scottish surname of territorial origin derived from the name of a village, Livingston, in West Lothian, Scotland. The name is believed to have originated from Old English words "leof" meaning dear or beloved, and "tun" meaning settlement or village.
The first recorded use of the name Livingston dates back to the 12th century when people started adopting surnames for identification purposes. The Livingston family played a prominent role in Scottish history, with various members holding titles such as the Earl of Linlithgow and Viscount of Kilsyth.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Livingston include prominent figures such as Robert Livingston, a key negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase in the United States; David Livingstone, the renowned Scottish explorer and missionary in Africa; and John Livingston, a Scottish theologian and Presbyterian minister.
Today, the surname Livingston is found not only in Scotland but also in various English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where individuals of Scottish heritage have carried on the name. The surname has thus spread beyond its Scottish roots to become a part of the wider global diaspora of Scottish culture and heritage.
There are approximately 2,689 people named Livingston in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,317th most common surname in Britain. Around 41 in a million people in Britain are named Livingston.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- William
Female
- Alison
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Janet
- Jean
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.