Johnson
What is the origin of the last name Johnson?
Meaning and origin
The last name Johnson originated from England and Scotland during the medieval period, combining the given name John and the suffix -son, meaning "son of." Derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious," John was an extremely popular name in Christian societies. As a patronymic surname, Johnson indicated the "son of John," serving as a way to distinguish individuals within communities.
The longer story
Derived from the personal name John, which is of biblical origin, the name Johnson has multiple possible meanings and etymologies.
One possible origin of the last name Johnson is from the given name John, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The popularity of the name John and its various forms throughout history has contributed to the prevalence of the Johnson surname.
An alternative origin for the last name Johnson is the patronymic tradition, where surnames are derived from a male ancestor's given name. In this case, Johnson would mean "son of John." This practice of using patronymics was common in many cultures, including Scandinavian and Scottish traditions.
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
#2
Johnson was the 2nd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 1,932,812 people, about 655 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Johnson
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Johnson 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.