Surname Clinton - Meaning and Origin

A Historical Journey: Unraveling the Roots of the Clinton Lineage Through DNA Testing

Recently, I had the opportunity to take an iGENEA DNA test, with the aim of uncovering historical and cultural nuances of my surname, Clinton. As the secrets of my lineage were unraveled, I found myself deeply connected to an ancient history that spanned diverse cultures, continents, and significant historical events. My lineage can be traced to Norman aristocracy, British migration, and early American settling, with historic figures in the family line.

A. Clinton

Clinton: What does the surname Clinton mean?

The surname Clinton has an English origin and it is derived from the Old English place-name elements "clint," meaning hill or rock—and "tun," meaning settlement or town. Hence Clinton roughly translates as "settlement by the cliff or hill". This surname was likely afforded to people who resided near hills or rocky settlements in England. There are several towns and villages in England named Clinton indicating that the surname originated from these locations. Over time, it became a popular personal name before evolving into a family name. It became quite well known in the United States, due to former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State. Each surname’s origin may have different versions, and this one may vary as well, depending on the source and interpretation.

Clinton: Where does the name Clinton come from?

The surname Clinton has its origins in England. It is derived from the Old English 'clint', meaning 'hill' and 'tun', meaning 'settlement' or 'town'. Therefore, Clinton can be understood to mean 'settlement on the hill'. The name Clinton became associated with different places named Clinton in England such as those in Oxfordshire, Devonshire, and other regions during the Middle Ages.

After its origin in England, the name Clinton was carried to Ireland, the Americas, and the rest of the English-speaking world through British colonization. Owing to this English diaspora, notwithstanding, the name is not concentrated in one particular geography today. It can be found scattered across countries like America, England, Canada, and Australia; albeit, more common in some areas than others. It became famously associated with the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State and 2016 Presidential candidate. As such, in America, the name Clinton has retained considerable recognition. However, because the name Clinton is more characteristically a given name in the United States, it is statistically less common as a last name.

Variations of the surname Clinton

The surname Clinton originated from English and Irish ancestry, deriving from a geographical location, 'Glympton' in Oxfordshire. Early variations of the spelling include 'Glintona,' 'Clyntona' and 'de Clistona' from around the 10th to 13th centuries. Over time, these evolved into 'Clinton', which was established by the 14th century.

It's important to note that Clinton is also a popular first name, particularly in North America, which may further obscure the lineage and exact spellings. Irish descendants have also been known to use the Clinton surname. While there aren't many common variations of 'Clinton', a less common variant includes 'Clenton'.

Another form of the name is 'Glympton' or 'Glymptone' which was used by the ancestors of the Clinton family when they lived in Oxfordshire before moving to other parts of England. This variant, however, is pretty rare and barely used.

Thus, the majority of individuals with the surname Clinton likely have it spelled in this traditional way, 'Clinton', due to the English phonetics and orthographic rules that have solidified its spelling over time. It is uncommon to see an array of spelling variations as seen with some other surnames.

Famous people with the name Clinton

• Bill Clinton: The 42nd President of the United States who served from 1993 to 2001. He was also Arkansas' governor from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992.
• Hillary Clinton: The wife of Bill Clinton, she served as US Senator from New York, Secretary of State under President Obama, and was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in 2016.
• Chelsea Clinton: The daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Chelsea is an author, philanthropist, and television correspondent.
• George Clinton: He was a prominent American politician and soldier who served as Governor of New York and Vice President of the US.
• DeWitt Clinton: An early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and was the 6th Governor of New York. He was also George Clinton's nephew.
• George Clinton: An important figure in the funk music genre, he was the mastermind behind the bands Parliament and Funkadelic.
• Roger Clinton Jr.: Half-brother to Bill Clinton, he is a musician and actor, with a minor career in politics.
• Larry Clinton: An American musician, best known for his work as a bandleader during the Swing Era.
• Kate Clinton: An American comedian specializing in political commentary from a gay/lesbian point of view.

Other surnames

Clint