Johnson is a patronymic surname built from the personal name John. It became established as hereditary naming practices stabilized in medieval and early modern periods.
Meaning and Origin
The core meaning is usually interpreted as son of John. Parallel forms developed in different language regions, often with local spelling changes.
Geographic Distribution
Johnson is common across England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.
Historical Records and Context
The surname appears widely in English and Scottish sources and later became common in the United States, Canada, and other migration destinations.
Spelling Variants
- Johnsen
- Johnston
Notable People
- Boris Johnson (politician)
- Dwayne Johnson (actor and former professional wrestler)