Williamson Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Williamson last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Williamson last name
Meaning of the Williamson last name: son of William. Williamson is a patronymic, "son of William", from the Norman personal name William, "will, desire" and "helmet, protection". The -son form is typical of northern England and Scotland, while Wales preferred Williams. Williamsons were numerous in the Scottish Borders, in Caithness, and in Shetland. The name is also common in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Ulster, and travelled widely to America and Australia. The name William was introduced by the Normans and became the most popular name in England by the 13th century. In Shetland, patronymic names were fixed late, and Williamson became one of the commonest surnames there. In the Scottish Borders, the Williamsons were linked with Peeblesshire. Williamson families emigrated early to the American colonies, especially to Virginia and the Carolinas, and later to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Williamson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Williamson name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as England, the United States and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Williamson name FAQ
What does the Williamson name mean?
Son of William. Common variants include Williamsone, Wilson, McWilliam.
Where does the Williamson surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in England, the United States and Australia.
Is there a Williamson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Williamson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Williamson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.