Carson
What is the origin of the last name Carson?
Meaning and origin
The last name Carson originated from the Old Norse name "Kárr," meaning "curly-haired one" or "farmer," and the English surname suffix "-son," denoting "son of." This patronymic surname suggests that the early bearers were descendants or kin of someone named Kárr, perhaps denoting their physical appearance or occupation. Over time, the name evolved and was adopted by families of various backgrounds, resulting in its wide spread and continued usage today.
The longer story
The last name Carson is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name MacCathmhaoil, which means "son of the battle chief" or "son of the generous chief." The surname Carson is derived from the personal name "Cathmhaoil," which is composed of the elements "cath" meaning "battle" and "mhaol" meaning "chief" or "ruler."
The name Carson is relatively common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the name is predominantly found in the areas of Dumfries and Galloway, Lanarkshire, and Aberdeen. In Northern Ireland, the name is particularly associated with County Antrim.
The Carson surname was first recorded in Scotland in the 15th century, specifically in Dumfries.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#593
Carson was the 593rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 56,872 people, about 19 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Carson
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Carson is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.