Johnson Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Johnson surname: its meaning, its roots in England & Scotland, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Johnson name
Johnson means "son of John", from the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious". John was one of the most popular baptismal names of the Middle Ages, which is why Johnson grew so widespread in England and the Scottish Lowlands. It is the second most common surname in the United States, and Scandinavian Johanssons and Jönssons often adopted the same spelling after emigrating.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Johnson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Johnson name in England & Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Johnson family history
The researched Johnson pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Johnson coat of arms.
Johnson name FAQ
What does the Johnson name mean?
Son of John. Common variants include Johnston, Jonson, Johnstone.
Where does the Johnson surname come from?
It originates in England & Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Johnson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Johnson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Johnson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).