Boston (surname)

The surname Boston is of English origin, derived from a place name. It has two principal possible origins:

• Boston, Lincolnshire: This is the more common origin. The place name Boston in Lincolnshire derives from the Old English "Botulfes tun," meaning "Botulf's town" or "Botulf's farmstead." Botulf was a 7th-century saint and abbot. The surname would thus have originated with someone who came from, or lived near, the town of Boston in Lincolnshire.

• Boston, Northumberland: A less frequent origin stems from a place in Northumberland. The etymology of this Boston is less certain, potentially involving Old English elements relating to stones or a person named Bosa.

As a surname, Boston would have become hereditary over time, passed down through families. Early records of the surname appear in various parts of England. Over time, the surname spread beyond England, notably to North America and Australia, as a result of migration.

The surname can have variant spellings or related names arising from dialectical variations or misspellings in historical records.

Individuals with the surname Boston have been found in a range of professions and social strata throughout history. Genealogical research can often provide more specific information about individual family histories bearing the surname.