Surname Kingston - Meaning and Origin

Kingston: What does the surname Kingston mean?

The surname Kingston is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name, derived from any one of the various places across England named as Kingston or Kingstone. The name Kingston implies "the king's estate" or "settlement", deriving from the Old English words "cyning" meaning king and "tun" meaning settlement or enclosure. This name was commonly given to those living or working on such estates. These places were typically prominent in various parts of the country during early times, emphasizing the importance of the king's governance and properties. Over time, such surnames became even more popular during the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century.

Kingston: Where does the name Kingston come from?

The last name Kingston is of Anglo-Saxon origin from England. It is a habitational name, with the Old English elements "cyning" which means 'king' and "tun" which means 'enclosure' or 'settlement.' Therefore, many believe the name was used for those who lived in or near a royal manor or worked in the king's household.

Kingston is a common surname in many English-speaking countries today, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It has notable frequency in Jamaica, likely due to the former British colonization and the capital city being named Kingston. In Ireland, it has been used as an Anglicisation for some Gaelic names. Despite this dispersion, the highest density of the surname Kingston can still be found in the UK. Famous people with the surname Kingston include the British actress Alex Kingston and the Jamaican-American singer Sean Kingston.

Variations of the surname Kingston

The surname Kingston mainly originates from England and Ireland. Variants and spellings of the surname Kingston can include Kingstone, Kingstun, Kington, Keniston, Kinston, and Kiniston. These spellings could have varied due to illiteracy in medieval times, regional accents and different pronunciations.

It's also common for surnames to change and adapt over centuries based on migration, translation to other languages and anglicization. For instance, the Gaelic form of Kingston in Ireland is Cingeadas. In Scotland, the surname King can also be a variant of Kingston.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, considering Kingston as a geographical surname (from towns named Kingston or Kington in England), other surnames derived from English place names may share this origin, such as Preston, Burton, or Ashton.

The suffix 'ton' is of Anglo-Saxon origin and typically refers to an enclosure, settlement or town. Therefore other surnames ending in 'ton', may also share this common linguistic origin, such as Stanton, Hampton, Merton, etc.

It is always recommended to dive into individual genealogical research for definitive interpretations and connections, due to the complex nature of surname origins.

Famous people with the name Kingston

• Bob Kingston: Canadian Member of Parliament from Alberta
• Steve Kingston: Zimbabwean professional golfer
• Nikki Kingston: U.K. based singer/songwriter
• Colin Kingston: British actor, director, and playwright
• Imani Kingston: American Filmmaker and Entrepreneur
• Saffron Kingston: Canadian Actor and Producer
• Rebekka Kingston: Danish Actress, Model and Singer
• Josh Kingston: American Actor, known for his role in the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans
• Kofi Kingston: Ghanaian Professional Wrestler
• Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson: American Musician and Music Producer best known as the drummer of The Roots

Other surnames

Kingstone