Surname Pinston - Meaning and Origin
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Pinston: What does the surname Pinston mean?
Pinston is an English last name of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old French “pin” which means “pine tree” and “ston” which means “town” or “stone”. The original bearer of the Pinston surname came from a place with the word “pin” in it such as Pinstock or Pinstan.
The Pinston surname was first found in Cheshire, where a John de Pynestan was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1230. In some cases the Pinston surname could also be of Anglo-Saxon origin, denoting someone who lived near a woodland of pine trees. It is not common to have a last name derived from the pine tree, which is why those with the surname are proud to claim it as part of their heritage.
This surname is associated with several place names, such as Pinstoke in Shropshire and Pinstan in Cheshire. It can also be found in Freston, Suffolk, where the Pinston family held a seat from ancient times and even made it to the court of James I in 1622.
The Pinston name is also recorded in other countries around the world. It can be found in Canada, the United States, Australia, India, and other countries where those with this last name have found a home.
The Pinston surname is a unique and ancient one that is now found in many countries around the world. It stands for a strong family heritage that traces its roots back to Norman and Anglo-Saxon origin. It is also a proud reminder of those who lived near woods of pine trees long ago.
Order DNA origin analysisPinston: Where does the name Pinston come from?
The last name Pinston is common today mainly in the United States. Current records and population statistics from across the country show that most people with the surname Pinston are concentrated in the mid-Atlantic states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, with smaller numbers residing in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Pinston is of British origin and can trace its origins to early settlers of the United States. Records from the Library of Congress and numerous other sources reveal that a John Pinston arrived in Philadelphia in 1765, just a few years before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. From that time on, the Pinstons spread out across the US, establishing themselves in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.
More recent Pinstons in the US can trace their roots to Canada, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Immigration records from 1900 to 1950 show that the Pinston family in the US originated from the United Kingdom and Canada.
Given the proximity to Britain and Canada, family records, genealogical research, and immigration records indicate the presence of Pinstons in the US since the 18th century. Today, most Pinstons live in the mid-Atlantic states as well as parts of the Midwest and West. Overall, the Pinston name is relatively rare in the United States, but their prevalence can be found in historical records and in the people still bearing the family's name today.
Variations of the surname Pinston
Pinston is an English surname that may have been derived from elements like ‘pen’ denoting an enclosed space, and ‘stan’ meaning a rock or stone. The surname may have been given to someone who lived near a stone walled enclosure or barn.
Variants of Pinston include Pinstone, Penston, Pennystone, Pinstan, and Penstan. Other spellings include Pindston, Penstin, Pennstone, and Pinstin. These variants and other forms of the Pinston surname can be found across England, and the name can also be found in Scotland and Ireland.
Derivatives of the Pinston surname include Pinch, Pincham, Pinck, Pink, Pinckney, Pinkerton, and Pinkney. These derivatives and other surnames may have evolved from the Pinston surname as people moved to different parts of the world or anglicized their names to make them more easily pronounced by those unfamiliar with the original spelling.
Pinston is also likely related to other more common surnames like Pinsent, Penston, Pinsent, Penny, Pinnick, and Pinser. These variants and surname derivatives may have been created as a result of variations in pronunciation, misspellings, and misinterpretations over the years.
Pinston may also have been confused with other surnames like Prentow, Penwest, Penswick, Pinwell, and Pinnock. These names may have been used interchangeably at times, thus leading to confusion when looking for records related to the Pinston surname.
Finally, the surname of Pinston may have come from the first name of Penston, thus creating a family name derived from a given name. With that said, the longer form of Penston is likely derived from Penelope, a name with Greek origins meaning ‘weaver of fabrics’. This connection between Pinston and Penelope is a plausible explanation for the origin of the Pinston surname.
Famous people with the name Pinston
- Richard Pinston: Former football player in the National Football League, playing with the Buffalo Bills in the 1960s.
- Jimmy Pinston: An Italian actor and comedian known for his comedic roles in the 1960s and '70s.
- Mary Pinston: British-born voice actress most known for her role as Gru from the animated film series, Despicable Me.
- Cole Pinston: American folk singer and songwriter who has released seven studio albums.
- Henry Pinston: British medical researcher who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in the 1980s.
- George Pinston: Grammy Award-winning music producer and record executive, most known for working with renowned artists such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Beyoncé.
- Christopher Pinston: Hollywood screenwriter and director, responsible for movies such as ‘Transformers’ and ‘Iron Man 3’.
- Paul Pinston: Former professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour between 1972 and 1985.
- Terry Pinston: Canadian actor and film producer, known for roles in films such as ‘Flying High’ and ‘Airplane!’.
- John Pinston: Australian archaeologist who is renowned for his excavations in the Middle East in the 1970s.