Johnson
Encyclopedia
Johnson is an English
, Scottish
, and Irish
name of Norman origin. The name itself is a patronym of the given name
John, literally meaning "son of John." The name John derives from Latin
Johannes
, which is derived through Greek
Ἰωάννης Iōannēs, from Hebrew יוחנן Yohanan
meaning "Yahweh has favoured". The name was extremely popular in Europe
since the Christian era, as a result of it being given to St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist and nearly one thousand other Christian saints. Johnson is the tenth most common surname in the United Kingdom, and second most common in the United States.
, the surname Johnson has absorbed many variants of this patronym from European languages, as well as the Danish Jørgensen (which does not share its root with Johnson, but is derived from Latin Georgius). It is the second most common family name in the United States
after Smith
. During the 1990 census
, approximately 0.81% of people counted had this family name.
In Ireland
, Johnson is the Anglicization of the Gaelic surnames Mac Sean (McShane) or Mac Eoin (McKeown).
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
name of Norman origin. The name itself is a patronym of the given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
John, literally meaning "son of John." The name John derives from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Johannes
Johannes
Johannes is the Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as "John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek name Ιωάννης , itself derived from the Hebrew name Yehochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious". The name became popular in Northern Europe, especially in Germany...
, which is derived through Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
Ἰωάννης Iōannēs, from Hebrew יוחנן Yohanan
Rabbi Yochanan (disambiguation)
Yochanan is a Jewish given name which may refer to:* Yochanan bar Nafcha , a rabbi in the early era of the Talmud* Yochanan ben Nuri, tanna of the 1st and 2nd centuries* Yochanan Afek , Israeli chess player...
meaning "Yahweh has favoured". The name was extremely popular in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
since the Christian era, as a result of it being given to St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist and nearly one thousand other Christian saints. Johnson is the tenth most common surname in the United Kingdom, and second most common in the United States.
Description
In North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, the surname Johnson has absorbed many variants of this patronym from European languages, as well as the Danish Jørgensen (which does not share its root with Johnson, but is derived from Latin Georgius). It is the second most common family name in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
after Smith
Smith (surname)
Smith is an English family name originating in England. It is the most common surname in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, the second most common surname in Canada, and the fifth most common surname in Ireland...
. During the 1990 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, approximately 0.81% of people counted had this family name.
In Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Johnson is the Anglicization of the Gaelic surnames Mac Sean (McShane) or Mac Eoin (McKeown).
Notable people sharing the surname Johnson
- Samuel JohnsonSamuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
(1709–1784), English author - Andrew JohnsonAndrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
(1808–1875), 17th President of the United States - Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
(1908–1973), 36th President of the United States - Boris JohnsonBoris JohnsonAlexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
(born 1964), British politician - Earvin "Magic" Johnson (born 1959), American Professional Basketball Player
See also
- Jensen
- JonsonJonsonJonson is a surname, and may refer to:* Ben Jonson , English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor* Gail Jonson , former medley and butterfly swimmer* Mattias Jonson , Swedish professional football player...
- JonssonJonssonJonsson is a surname of Nordic origin, meaning son of Jon. In Iceland the name is a part of the Patronymic name systemPeople with this surname include:*Åke Jonsson, Swedish motocross racer* André Jonsson, Swedish ski mountaineer and cross-country skier...
- JohanssonJohanssonJohansson is a patronymic family name meaning "son of Johan", or "Johan's son". It is the most common Swedish family name, followed by Andersson....
- JohnssonJohnssonJohnsson is a Swedish surname meaning "John's son".People with surname Johnsson:* Christofer Johnsson, Swedish heavy metal musician* Kim Johnsson, Swedish ice hockey player* Sonja Johnsson, Swedish Swimmer...
- JohnstonJohnston (surname)Johnston is a surname which in most cases is a habitational surname derived from several places in Scotland, however it can most also be a variant of the surname Johnstone. The surname is most common throughout Scotland and Ireland.-Etymology:...
- JovanovićJovanovicJovanović is a common Serbian surname. It derives from Jovan, which is comparable to John in English. The part ov designates possession: Jovanov means John's. The suffix ić is a diminutive designation, or descendant designation...
- JonesJones (surname)Jones is a common Celtic Welsh surname based on the English version of the parent's name ending in -S. In 1881 people with this surname were largely confined to Wales. By 1998 many Welsh people had migrated to cities in England particularly those adjacent to Wales. The earliest record of the name...