VINCENT
Vincent is a surname of Latin origin, derived from the personal name Vincentius, which itself comes from the Latin verb vincere meaning “to conquer”. The surname therefore conveys the notion of victory or conquest. Its semantic heritage is reflected in the common sense that bearers of the name are regarded as determined and triumphant.
In England the surname developed from the given name Vincent. The popularity of the name in medieval Europe can be traced to the veneration of Saint Vincent, a third‑century martyr who was celebrated for his strength and resilience. The saint’s cult helped establish the name among Christian communities in the British Isles.
Variant spellings recorded in the historical record include Vincett, Vinsen, Vinson and Vinsun, all of which are direct derivatives of the Latin Vincentius.
In medieval England the surname appears in documentary evidence from the early thirteenth century. The Latinised form Vincencius is found in the 1206 Curia Regis Rolls of Norfolk. An entry for Vincentius Filius (son of Wuluiet) appears in the 1222 Assize Court Rolls of Warwickshire, and the name is also recorded as that of an individual named Roger Vincent in Berkshire in 1273 and of Agatha Vincent in Sussex in 1296.
The earliest surviving spelling of the family name is that of William Vincent in 1230, as listed in the Cartulary of Oseney Abbey, Oxfordshire. This entry occurs during the reign of King Henry, who is sometimes referred to as the Frenchman and whose reign extended from 1216 to 1272.
Beyond the medieval period, the surname was carried to the New World by William Vincent, an early settler granted 100 acres near Charles City in Virginia in 1626. In Britain a notable individual was William Vincent (1739‑1815), who served as dean of Westminster and oversaw the restoration works at Westminster Abbey from 1807.
Thus the surname Vincent has a long history rooted in Latin, Christian piety, and denotes a sense of conquest and resilience. Its survival through centuries of English legal and ecclesiastical records attests to its deep historical continuity within the British Isles.
Typical given names associated with the Vincent surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Vincent in...
Braille
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Vincent are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Hobnob.
There are approximately 20,755 people named Vincent in the UK. That makes it the 417th most common surname in Britain. Around 319 in a million people in Britain are named Vincent.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Vincent
- Joyce Vincent - Unsolved death (1965 to 1)
- Brooke Vincent - Actress
- Jan-Michael Vincent - American actor (1944 to 2019)
- Jacky Vincent - Musician
- Tim Vincent - Actor, TV presenter
- Kane Vincent-Young - Football player
- Richard Vincent, Baron Vincent of Coleshill - Field marshal (1931 to 2018)
- Robbie Vincent - Radio DJ
- Jan Anthony Vincent-Rostowski - Polish politician
- Edgar Vincent, 1st Viscount D'Abernon - Politician, diplomat, art collector and author (1857 to 1941)
- James Vincent - Football player
- Phil Vincent - Motorcycle pioneer (1908 to 1979)
- John Vincent - Historian
- Jamie Vincent - Football player
- Stanley Vincent - Royal Air Force air marshal (1897 to 1976)
- Ashley Vincent - Football player
- Andre Vincent - Comedian
- R J Vincent - Academic (1943 to 1990)
- Johnny Vincent - Football player (1947 to 2006)
- Ernest Vincent - Football player (1910 to 1978)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.