Surname Pinkston - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Ancestral Complexity of the Pinkston Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

The DNA results from iGENEA revealed a remarkable exploration into my family's surname, Pinkston. With roots tracing back to several regions across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, the genetic background associated with the Pinkston lineage augments our understanding of history, migration, and identity.

E. Pinkston

Pinkston: What does the surname Pinkston mean?

The surname Pinkston is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be a locational surname, denoting someone who lived or came from a place called Pinkston. It is derived from the Old English words "pink," which could mean either "small" or "point" and "tun," meaning "settlement" or "farm." Therefore, the name could be translated as "settlement with a small point." Locational surnames became more common during the Middle Ages as a way to identify people who moved from their birthplace, as it was common to be named by your place of residence. Therefore, the ancestors of the Pinkston family were likely from a place named Pinkston. However, the exact location of such a place is unclear today, suggesting it may have been a minor or unrecorded hamlet that has since disappeared or significantly changed in name. As with many surnames, variations in the spelling can be found throughout history including Pinkstone, Pincston, and Pinckston among others.

Pinkston: Where does the name Pinkston come from?

The last name Pinkston is most commonly associated with the United States, where it has been recorded since the early 20th century. The recorded origins of the Pinkston surname date back to Scotland and Ireland, where it was an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O'Pinsean, derived from the personal name Pinsan. Today, the last name Pinkston is especially common throughout the Southern and Midwestern parts of the US, where it is especially prevalent in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia. Combined, these five states account for around a quarter of all persons bearing the Pinkston surname in the US. Interestingly, the Pinkston surname is much less common outside the US, with statistically insignificant numbers found in most countries throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Pinkston

The surname Pinkston is often found spelled in various ways. These include Pinkerton, Pinkertown, Pinckerton, Pinkerstone, Pinkestan, and Pickerstone. Despite the different spellings, all of these surnames originate from the same source.

It is believed that the Pinkston surname has multiple origins, with one group deriving from the area in Northern Kilkenny, Ireland, while another branch was established in Scotland.

Those surnamed Pinkston in Ireland were likely residents of Pinkertown, Kilkenny, which was part of the diocese of Ossory during medieval times. The name Pinkerstone likely originates from the same location, referring to a stone bridge that crossed the river in the area.

The Scottish origins of the surname are linked to the ancient province of Perthshire. It is presumed that those with the name may have descended from a certain Johnne de Pinkerstone who is recorded in the compilation of 'The knights of Arthure and of his noble knychtis’ in around 1425. The name 'Pinkerstone' may refer to a settlement situated near a pink granite stone.

Many of these variants of the Pinkerton surname can still be found today, used by descendants of these original families.

Famous people with the name Pinkston

• Cody Pinkston: an American professional surfer
• Dee Pinkston: American country music singer/songwriter
• Harrison Pinkston: American television and movie actor
• Isaiah Pinkston: professional basketball player
• John Pinkston: a former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Olivia Pinkston: a former softball player at Georgia State University
• Penn Pinkston: an American football player
• Tony Pinkston: musician, DJ, actor and radio host
• Erick Pinkston: American football player
• Nate Pinkston: Native American musician, recording artist and music producer

Other surnames

Pinkstone