Find out how popular the last name Prinston is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Prinston.

Prinston, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Prinston surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prinston in America

Prinston is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prinston surname appeared 103 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Prinston.

The history of the last name Prinston

The surname PRINSTON has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "prynn" meaning "thorn bush" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a thorn bush enclosure or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a certain Robert de Prynstun is mentioned as a landowner in Oxfordshire. This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that period, as they were often adapted based on local dialects and pronunciations.

The PRINSTON name appears to have been predominantly concentrated in the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, regions known for their agricultural heritage and rural settlements. This geographical link lends credence to the proposed meaning of the name being associated with a location or settlement.

In the 14th century, the PRINSTON name gained prominence with the birth of William PRINSTON (1320-1387), a prominent cleric and scholar who served as the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. His accomplishments and social standing likely contributed to the further dissemination and recognition of the surname.

Another notable figure was Sir John PRINSTON (1452-1521), a knight and landowner from Oxfordshire, who played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses, supporting the Yorkist cause. His military exploits and allegiance to the House of York solidified the PRINSTON name's association with the English nobility.

During the Tudor period, the PRINSTON family continued to hold influential positions, with Thomas PRINSTON (1508-1572) serving as a Member of Parliament and Justice of the Peace in Buckinghamshire. His political and judicial roles highlight the family's enduring presence among the gentry and governing classes.

The PRINSTON name also found its way into literary circles, with the poet and writer Elizabeth PRINSTON (1672-1733) gaining recognition for her works, which explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality. Her contributions to the cultural landscape of the time further cemented the name's significance.

As the centuries progressed, the PRINSTON surname continued to be associated with notable individuals across various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts, solidifying its place in the annals of English history and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and social fabric of the nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prinston

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Prinston.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Prinston was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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