Johnson: the last name meaning and origin

SSP prepared detailed information about the origin and meaning of this surname. The surname Johnson has its roots in English patronymic names, signifying "son of John (gift of God)." This name traces back to the Latin Johannes, derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, symbolizing "Jehovah has favored."

The Johnson surname encompasses various variations attributed to the suffix meaning "son." Noteworthy examples include English son, Norwegian sen, German sohn, and Swedish sson. Additionally, Jones represents the prevalent Welsh rendition of this surname.

It is worth noting that the surname Johnson can also be an Anglicisation of the Gaelic surnames MacSeain or MacShane.

The name Johnson enjoyed popularity within Christian communities due to the numerous esteemed saints named John, such as St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

This surname has origins in both English and Scottish heritage.

Alternative spelling variations of the Johnston surname include Johnston, Jonson, Jonsen, Johanson, Johnstone, Johnsson, Johannsan, Jensen, MacShane, McShane, and McSeain.

Interesting Facts about the Johnston Surname:

– In 1995, Johnston/Johnstone combined was the 10th most common surname recorded by the General Register Office of Scotland.

– Notable individuals with the surname Johnson include Andrew Johnson, who served as America's 17th President, Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, Caryn Elaine Johnson, better known as Whoopie Goldberg, an African American actress, and Shawn Johnson, the gold medalist gymnast from the 2008 Olympics.

In conclusion, the surname Johnson holds historical significance, its meaning deeply rooted in religious context while boasting a wide array of variations and prominent figures associated with it.