Meaning and origin
The last name Jackson has its origin in England and Scotland. It is derived from the medieval English personal name Jankin, which is a diminutive form of John. The name John itself originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." Over time, the surname Jackson gained popularity and spread throughout the English-speaking world. It is now a widespread and common last name, symbolizing the legacy and historical ties of those with Jackson as their surname.
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.
Similar spellings
#19
Jackson was the 19th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 708,099 people, about 240 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Jackson
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Jackson 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.