Paynter
An occupational surname for a painter, with some historical spelling overlap with related forms like Painter and Payter.
The #9,756 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 92,940 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is generally a spelling variant of Painter, from Middle English peyn-tour / painter, meaning someone who paints. The word ultimately comes through Anglo-French from French peindre, based on Latin pingere, “to paint.” Some older writers also suggested a separate medieval form tied to the royal pantry, but the painter origin is the standard explanation.
History
The name is recorded in medieval England, including a 14th-century example in Cheshire. Later surname dictionaries commonly treat Paynter as just a variant spelling of Painter, though some 19th-century antiquarians noted a possible connection with the pantry office in Norman times. It has been especially visible in English and later American records.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
19th-century surname writers specifically remarked that Paynter was common enough to make a noticeable appearance in American directories.
From the historical record
“A.D- 1334-6. — Chesh. Chmbrlns.' Accts. PAYNTER (A.-Fr.-Lat.) Painter [M.E. peyn- tour ; i. Fr. peindre, Lat. pingere, to paint] PAYTER for Pater, q.v. PAYTON I Bel. to Payton or Peyton (Devon ^ Suff.; etc.) = (prob.) P^ga's Estate [A.-Sax. *Ptzgan-tiin ^ P<Bgan-, genit. of Pcega] 2 V. Paton.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)