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Patronymic name (from a parent's given name)

The Johnson Family Name — Meaning & Origin

The surname Johnson most likely means "son of John," indicating a family lineage traced back to an ancestor named John.

Origin

Johnson is a patronymic surname of English origin derived from the given name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It became widespread in England with the adoption of fixed surnames and often appears as a marker of descent from a male ancestor named John.

Values that often pair with this name

LoyaltyHonorUnity
Example heraldic family crest style, in the English heraldic tradition
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Curious how this connects to your own name? Read our guide to surname origins or learn what crest symbols and colors mean. Browse more names in the family name directory.