Surname de Clinton - Meaning and Origin

de Clinton: What does the surname de Clinton mean?

The surname de Clinton is a very ancient one, originating from the feudal lands of Clinton located in the historic region of England known as Wessex. It is derived from the old English word 'clinn', meaning a steep hill or cliff.

During medieval times, individuals associated with the lands of Clinton adopted the name de Clinton to signify their heritage. This would later become a hereditary surname, passed down to successive generations of the family.

It is believed that the founder of the de Clinton family was a member of the Norman nobility from the time of the Conquest. As was customary in medieval times, the name was shared as a patronymic, so that the male descendants of the family eldest son took the surname while their sisters used their mother's maiden name.

The de Clinton family had a prosperous past. They became an influential family within the court of William the Conqueror and later supported William Rufus during his reign. By the 15th century, the family owned multiple estates in the surrounding region.

The de Clinton name is a constant reminder of the family's proud ancestry and turbulent history. While meanings and origins of many surnames are lost from the mists of time, the de Clinton name remains strong, a testament to the family's historical origins.

de Clinton: Where does the name de Clinton come from?

The last name de Clinton is commonly found in many countries around the world today. It is mostly associated with people of French-Canadian descent who can trace their roots back to Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland. The name is common in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas with high concentrations of French-Canadians. It can also be found in parts of Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

In England, the de Clinton name is most frequently found in Kent, Oxfordshire, and Leicestershire. It is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of England, as well as in Scotland and Wales.

In the United States, the de Clinton name is most common in the northeastern states, especially in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It is also found to a slightly lesser degree in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The people who carry the de Clinton name today often have strong connections to their ancestral roots. Members of the de Clinton family have played an important role in the social, economic, and political development of Canada, the United States, and other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname de Clinton

Variants of the surname de Clinton include: -Clint -Clinte -Clintin -Clinton -Clintone -Clintoun -Clintune -Clintyn -Clintynne.

Many of these variants are spellings derived from the English, Irish and Welsh origins that the name is said to originate from. The name itself is a Norman French diminutive of the old Norman French term "de Clintone" meaning from Clinton.

Surnames of the same origin as de Clinton include but are not limited to: -Clente -De Clinton -De Clintonne -De Clintonte -De Clinto -Clonton -De Clontun -Del Clintonne -De Clinto -De Clints -Clints -Clintsh -Clintshall -Clintshaw -Clinty -De Clinto De Clintonne.

These surnames are all versions of what was originally the Norman-French term de Clintone. Many of them have been modified to better fit their respective linguistic and cultural contexts; for instance, de Clintonne has been abbreviated to del Clintonne in many places. Some of these surnames have also been Anglicised for ease of use. Examples include Clint for de Clintone and Clinty for de Clinto.

Famous people with the name de Clinton

• Hilary Rodham Clinton: the 67th United States Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, U.S. Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009 and the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001.
• Edmund de Clinton: was an English soldier and administrator, active during the reign of Elizabeth I of England.
• Edward de Clinton: an English soldier and administrator, active in the wars against France during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII.
• Alain-Vincent de Clinton: was a French military officer, Count de Clinton, who served as the Governor of Alsace from 1755 to 1778.
• Roger de Clinton: was a medieval Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield in England.
• John de Clinton: was an English knight from the House of Clinton who lived in the 13th century.
• Gilbert de Clinton: was a peer and Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Henry III of England.
• Godfrey de Clinton: was an English Baron during the reigns of Henry III and Edward I of England.
• Ranulf de Clinton: was a Baron and Baronial leader during the reign of King John of England.
• Robert de Clinton: was an English nobleman and Baron during the reigns of both Henry III and Edward I of England.

Other surnames

de Clint