Find out how popular the first name Colston has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Colston by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Colston is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 40 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Colston.

The history of the first name Colston

The name Colston derives from an Old English surname meaning "coal town" or "coal settlement." It is believed to have originated in the 9th or 10th century in the Anglo-Saxon region of what is now England. The name is a combination of the Old English words "col" meaning coal and "tun" meaning town or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Colston can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholders in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name is mentioned in reference to several landowners and villages bearing variations of the name, such as Colstun and Colstune.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Colston appears in the chronicles of the Benedictine monastery of Bury St Edmunds. This Colston was a wealthy merchant and benefactor who donated generously to the monastery and its surrounding community.

During the 16th century, a prominent English merchant and philanthropist named Edward Colston (1636-1721) made a significant impact on the city of Bristol. He was a member of the wealthy Society of Merchant Venturers and played a key role in the city's maritime trade, particularly in the slave trade. Despite his involvement in this unethical practice, he also made substantial charitable donations, which led to various buildings and institutions in Bristol being named after him.

Another noteworthy figure with the name Colston was Sir John Colston (1548-1611), an English diplomat and scholar who served as an ambassador to several European countries during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 18th century, a British naval officer named Francis Colston (1741-1804) distinguished himself in various battles during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars.

Throughout history, the name Colston has been associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including merchants, philanthropists, scholars, and military figures, reflecting its origins in the Anglo-Saxon region and its evolution over centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Colston was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Colston, please contact us.

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