The name Kingston originates from the Old English language and is derived from the words "cyning" meaning king and "tun" meaning town or village. It essentially translates to "the king's town" or "the town of the king." This name has its roots in England and was likely used to refer to settlements or towns that were established or owned by a ruling monarch.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kingston can be traced back to the 11th century, during the reign of King Edward the Confessor in England. It was commonly used to name towns and villages that were under the direct control or ownership of the reigning monarch. Some of the earliest examples include Kingston upon Thames, a town situated in the historic county of Surrey, and Kingston upon Hull, a town in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

In the 12th century, the name Kingston was also used in various historical records and documents, such as the Domesday Book, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was well-established and widely used during the Norman period in England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the first name Kingston. One of the earliest examples is Kingston Olcott Whipple (1808-1886), an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts. Another prominent figure was Kingston Bunston Pemberton (1821-1891), a British army officer who served in the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

In the 20th century, Kingston Smith (1907-1992) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader who performed with notable musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. Kingston Trinder (1909-1988) was a British actor and comedian who appeared in various films and television shows throughout his career.

More recently, Kingston Rossdale (born in 2006) is the son of musicians Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, and his name has helped to popularize the use of Kingston as a first name in modern times.