Surname Pinkerton - Meaning and Origin
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Embracing Ancestral Ties: A Pinkerton's Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test Results
The iGENEA DNA test reveals a compelling journey into my past, uncovering the enigmatic origin and history associated with my Scottish surname, Pinkerton. Discovering my lineage from medieval Scotland to a meld of Celtic, Norse, and broader British Isles ancestry has offered a newfound understanding and appreciation for my heritage and the vibrancy it carries.
Y. Pinkerton
read morePinkerton: What does the surname Pinkerton mean?
The surname Pinkerton is of Scottish origin and is derived from a place near Dunfermline, Scotland. The name itself means "from the pink farm" or "settlement", where "pink" could possibly refer to the dianthus flower, also known as "pink", suggesting the farm might have been known for these flowers. However, it could also refer to the color which might signify a particular characteristic of the landscape or the farm itself. Another possible interpretation relates to the Old English term "tun" meaning town, and "Pynca" which is a personal name, hence meaning "Pynca's Town". Names derived from geographic locations were often used to identify where a person originally lived or held land. As such, Pinkerton as a surname often signifies an ancestral connection to that specific region in Scotland. Over the years, it has been used to refer to various well-known entities, like the Pinkerton detective agency in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisPinkerton: Where does the name Pinkerton come from?
Pinkerton is a surname that originated in Scotland, England, and is most commonly associated with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency that was founded in the US in 1850. This name has spread around the world since then and is now relatively common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and various parts of Europe.
In the US, the surname is strongly concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions especially in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Pinkerton is also found in many states along the East and West coasts. It’s also seen in the border regions of the US like Texas, New Mexico, and California.
In Canada, the name is more widely spread out with representatives in every province and territory. There are also pockets of Pinkertons in larger cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and France also have a presence of the Pinkerton name although the numbers are much fewer. Lastly, Pinkertons can be found in Australia and New Zealand.
In conclusion, the last name Pinkerton is relatively common around the world today with its strongest presence being in the US, Canada, and some parts of Europe and Australia.
Variations of the surname Pinkerton
The surname Pinkerton has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variants include Pinkertoun, Pinkrton, Pinkertonne, Pinkertounne, Pinkertown, Pinkertounn, Pinkerton, Pinkertonn, Pinkertow, Pinkertoune, Pinkertouwne, Pinkartowne, and Pincertoun.
Pinkerton is considered to be a habitation name, which is derived from a place. In this case, the surname likely originates from the barony of Pinkerton near Haddington, Scotland. The barony of Pinkerton is recorded in the 14th century and is attributed to a family of that name.
The name Pincerton can also be traced back to the hamlet of Pinkerton in the township of East Floxton, Somerset. This is another area from which the surname and the variants may have originated. The variant spelling of 'Pinkartowne' can be found in the temp. James 1 Court Rolls of Sussex, and is an old spelling for an area in Linslade, Buckinghamshire.
The 'Pincerton' variant appears to be derived from the settlement called Penkerton in Saxon times which is now part of Lancashire. The Pinkerton spelling is most populous in Scotland, but variants of the surname can be found all around the British Isles. There is also a significant presence in the US, where many members of the Pinkerton family emigrated to.
In the English speaking world, the variants of Pinkerton are often pronounced the same as the original spelling. However, the accent may differ. The Irish pronunciation of the surname is more emphasized on the first 'e', while the Scottish pronunciation typically includes a 't' sound at the end. Lastly, variants can also be found with other subscribed surnames in Scotland. These include Pincherston, Pincherstone, Pinkle, and Pinklet.
Famous people with the name Pinkerton
- David Pinkerton: An American actor known for his roles in the films Sabrina (1995) and Chocolat (2000).
- Tom Pinkerton: An English professional basketball player who has played for teams in Scotland and the United Kingdom.
- Sharon Pinkerton: A retired American professional basketball player who played in the WNBA.
- Lelan Pinkerton: An American comic artist known for his work on such titles as Sgt. Rock and X-Men.
- Bryan Pinkerton: A Canadian Maxim model and former Canadian Forces Corporal.
- Matt Pinkerton: An American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Josh Pinkerton: An American musician and songwriter who is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Saving Abel.
- Jack Pinkerton: An Australian surfer who was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 2012.
- John Pinkerton: A British author and historian who wrote History of Great Britain and the North American Colonies.
- Tiffani-Amber Pinkerton: An American fitness instructor and model who has appeared in numerous magazines and television commercials.