The given name Wellington originated from an Old English surname that was derived from the combination of two words: "weall" meaning "wall" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement". It was initially a descriptive name for someone who lived near a walled town or settlement. The name's roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wellington was in the Domesday Book, a record of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appeared as "Walintone", referring to a place name in Somerset, England. This suggests that the name had already been in use as a surname before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In the 12th century, the name Wellington gained prominence due to its association with Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). He was a renowned British military leader and statesman who achieved victory against Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. His triumph and subsequent fame contributed to the widespread adoption of the name Wellington, both as a surname and a given name.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the first name Wellington. One of the earliest was Wellington Bunbury (1805-1888), a British army officer and politician who served as Under-Secretary of State for War from 1852 to 1858. Another prominent figure was Wellington Koo (1888-1985), a Chinese diplomat and politician who served as the Republic of China's representative to the League of Nations and the United Nations.

In the realm of literature, the name Wellington is associated with the American author Wellington Ayer (1833-1913), who wrote several novels and short stories in the late 19th century. The British painter Wellington Brownrigg (1807-1867) was also a notable figure in his field, known for his landscape and genre paintings.

Another significant bearer of the name was Wellington Burt (1892-1976), an American aviation pioneer who played a crucial role in the development of the commercial aviation industry in the United States. He was instrumental in establishing the first transcontinental air routes and served as the president of several major airlines.

While the name Wellington has its roots in Old English and gained prominence through historical figures, it has since been adopted globally and transcended its original cultural boundaries, becoming a popular given name in various parts of the world.