Find out how popular the first name Pennington has been for the last 12 years (from 2009 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pennington by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Pennington is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 60% of people named Pennington being female.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Pennington.

The history of the first name Pennington

Pennington is an English given name with origins dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "penn" meaning pen or enclosure, and "tun" meaning town or settlement. It likely originated as a place name referring to a town or village surrounded by an enclosure or pen, possibly for holding livestock.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Pennington can be traced back to the 12th century in various historical records and documents from England. One notable early bearer of the name was Sir William de Pennington, a 13th-century English knight who fought in the Second Barons' War against King Henry III.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Wycliffe Bible, an early English translation of the Bible. This suggests that the name was in relatively wide use among English-speaking communities during the Middle Ages.

During the Renaissance period, Pennington gained prominence as the surname of a respected English family. Sir John Pennington (1576-1768) was a prominent military leader who served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and played a role in the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the name Pennington was associated with the Puritan movement in England. Isaac Pennington (1616-1679) was a prominent Quaker leader and writer who was imprisoned several times for his religious beliefs.

Another notable bearer of the name was Edward Pennington (1744-1808), a British botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their classification.

Throughout history, the name Pennington has been borne by various individuals across different fields, including literature, politics, and the arts. Some other notable individuals with the name include:

1. James Pennington (1809-1870), an American abolitionist, minister, and former slave who became a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement.

2. Alexander Pennington (1838-1906), an American businessman and politician who served as the Governor of Dakota Territory from 1888 to 1889.

3. Patience Pennington (1644-1718), an English Quaker preacher and writer who advocated for women's rights and religious tolerance.

4. Montagu Pennington (1756-1849), an English naval officer and politician who served as the Governor of Nova Scotia from 1804 to 1807.

5. Cyril Pennington (1911-2003), a British actor and playwright known for his work in theater and television productions.

While the name Pennington has its roots in England, it has since been adopted and used in various English-speaking countries around the world, showcasing its enduring legacy and versatility.

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 Pennington was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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