Surname Kinston - Meaning and Origin
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Kinston: What does the surname Kinston mean?
The last name Kinston is derived from the Old English name Cyningestun, meaning "King's Town", and was likely used to describe a settlement founded or owned by a king. The spelling with a "t" is believed to be from a Norman influence, where the word would have been pronounced with a "t" sound at the end.
Kinston is quite a rare name, making up less than 1 in 500,000 of the population in the United Kingdom in 2011. However, it is believed to have been more widespread in the past - records show that it first appeared around the 11th century in Wiltshire, England.
The name Kinston is thought to have spread when William the Conqueror invaded England and changed the nickname to its French royal equivalent, Kingeston. This name refers to his kinsmen, who came from Normandy and helped the Normans to assume control of England.
Kinston could also be a variation of the ancient English name Kynton, meaning "king's farm" or "large farmstead". So it is possible that the name could have evolved over time from a place name to a surname.
Regardless of its origin, the name now carries a strong sense of regal history - it serves as a reminder of the power of kings throughout the ages and of their influence in shaping both English and world history.
Order DNA origin analysisKinston: Where does the name Kinston come from?
The last name Kinston is most commonly associated with locations in the United States, but can also be found in small numbers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries around the world.
Kinston, North Carolina is the most well-known location associated with the name. Kinston has a long history, first established as Kingston in 1762 in what was then Dobbs County. Later, in 1784, Lenoir County was formed by the General Assembly of North Carolina. The name of the town was changed to Kinston at that time, thought to be an homage to Sir Thomas Kinston, a former Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire.
In the United States, Kinston is primarily associated with eastern North Carolina, where it remains the most common. Other parts of the state are home to a few Kinston families, as well as scattered across the rest of the country, such as Florida, Indiana, Michigan, and New York.
Kinston families have also made their way to other parts of the world. In Canada, Kinston is found mainly in Ontario, though there are a few families in other provinces. In the UK, Kinston is found mostly in Northumberland and London, though there are a few families in other parts of the country as well.
Kinston is not a particularly common surname, but can be found in pockets around the world. The most prominent place associated with it is Kinston, North Carolina, and it is there that the majority of Kinston families can be found today.
Variations of the surname Kinston
The surname Kinston is derived from the Old English words “cyne” and “tun” meaning “royal enclosure.” It is also a variation of the Middle English Kynston. Over the centuries, the surname has evolved and changed spellings, giving rise to several variants.
Common variants of the Kinston surname include Kingston, Kynston, Kinsington and Kynsington. Other spellings include Kinstone, Kinstone, Kynstone and Kynstoun.
The surname may also be seen in various other related forms, such as Kinton, Kynston, Kingston, Kinson, Kensington and Kynton.
It can also be found with the prefix “Mc”, such as MacKinston or MacKinstown, or with the Gaelic “Mac” prefix, such as MacKynston, MacKynstone or MacKinstown.
Variations of the Kinston surname may be found in various English speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The surnames Kinston and Kingston are both considered quite common in Britain, particularly around the south-east region, particularly around the London area. They are also common in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Kinston is also well-represented in the United States, as the 19th century saw waves of immigrants from England to the U.S. and Canada.
Famous people with the name Kinston
- Raini Rodriguez, American actress
- Christian Kinston, Irish freestyle footballer
- Shaun Kinston, English footballer
- Larnell Kinston, Antiguan cricketer
- Bill Kinston, former Welsh rugby player
- Tamara Kinston, British track and field athlete
- Tanzee Kinston, American singer
- Mickey Kinston, American baseball player
- Sir Garfield Sobers Kinston, Barbadian chess player
- Sean Kinston, American basketball player
- Ceanna Kinston, German figure skater
- Andrew Kinston, American physicist
- Lennox Charles Kinston, Guyanese writer
- Lesley-Ann Kinston, English-Israeli playwright and theatre director
- Howard Kinston, English footballer
- Robert Kinston, American tennis player
- Scarlett Kinston, Spanish model
- Edward Kinston, Tunisian basketball player
- Lee Kinston, English snooker player
- Jessica Kinston, British-Australian coach