Meaning and origin
The last name Hinton is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Huna" combined with the patronymic suffix "-ing" meaning "son of." This surname refers to someone who was the son of Huna or a similar given name and has been recorded in various spellings throughout history, including Hentune, Hintone, and Hynton. The name Hinton has a long-standing presence in England and can be traced back to medieval times, demonstrating the rich historical heritage associated with this surname.
The longer story
The last name Hinton has English origins, specifically from the regions of Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. It is classified as a habitational surname, meaning that it refers to a person who lived in or near a location called Hinton. The name Hinton is derived from the Old English words "hīg" and "tūn" which translate to "enclosure" or "settlement."
In terms of historical usage, the surname Hinton has been recorded since at least the 13th century. Variations of the name include Hynton and Hyndton, among others. It was commonly found in the aforementioned English regions where the place names Hinton are located.
The surname Hinton has spread beyond England, making its way to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Migration and emigration have played a significant role in the dissemination of this surname across different regions.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#979
Hinton was the 979th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 35,606 people, about 12 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Hinton
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Hinton is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.