A Fun, Fact-Filled Look at the Meaning and Origin of the
Johnson Surname
Johnson Name Meaning
The Johnson surname is a patronymic that means “son of John.” John is derived from the Latin word Johannes, which is derived from the Hebrew word Yehochanan, which means “Yahweh is gracious.”
Over time, Johannes transformed into numerous regional forms as it traveled across national and linguistic boundaries. It became Hans in Germany, Jan in Holland, and Jean in France. Similarly, the English suffix son took on many different variations, including the Swedish sson, Norwegian sen, German sohn, and Irish sean.
Johnson Last Name Variations
Virtually all surnames have developed phonetic and spelling variations over many centuries in many countries. A person’s last name was often spelled however it sounded to the person recording it.
When you’re researching your branch of the Johnson family tree, you may find that your ancestors used one or more of these variations of the Johnson surname: Jansen, Joneson, Djohnson, Jannissen, Jensen, Jhohnson, Jiohnson, Johannissen, Johannsan, Johannsen, Johanson, Johhnson, Johjnson, Johnhson, Johnscon, Johnshon, Johnsohn, Johnsoin, Johnsonn, Johnsonq, Johnssen, Johnsson, Johnston, Johnstone, Johynson, Joihnson, Jonson, Joohnson, Jouhnson, Joynson.
Johnson Last Name Origin
The surname Johnson was popular among Christians due to a large number of saints with the name John, including St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Its primary origins are in English, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish cultures. The last name Johnson may have come from the Gaelic names MacSeain or MacShane in Ireland.
Johnson Surname Geography
Today, there are more than three million people with the Johnson surname, which makes it the 173rd most popular surname in the world.
Approximately 71% of people with the last name Johnson live in America. It is the second most popular surname in the country, surpassed only by the Smith surname. Large concentrations of Johnsons can be found in Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois.
In England and Wales, Johnson is the 10th most popular surname. There are large concentrations of the Johnson name in the counties of Cambridge, Cheshire, Durham, Lancashire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Stafford, Warwick, and York.
In Scotland, Johnston and Johnstone are popular variants of the last name Johnson. Clan Johnstone was known as one of the most powerful Border Reiver Scottish clans from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century.
Johnson Family Motto
Not every family has a family motto. But, given the sheer number of Johnsons, we find a number of Johnson family mottoes throughout history. They include:
| Motto | Translation |
|---|---|
| Deo regique debeo. | I owe duty to God and the king. |
| Deo regique liber. | Free to serve God and the king. |
| Fugite fures omnes. | Flee from all thieves. |
| Nunquam non paratus. | Never unprepared. |
| Onus sub honore. | There is a burthen to sustain under honour. |
| Securior qui paratior. | The better prepared the more secure. |
| Servabo fidem. | I will keep the faith. |
| Sol clarior astro. | The sun is brighter than a star. |
| Vicisti et vivimus. | Thou hast conquered and we survive. |
Johnson Baronies
A baron or baroness is a noble or honorific status that is either inherited or bestowed. It refers to someone who is below a duke, marquess, earl, and viscount but above a lord and knight. My Lord or Your Lordship is used when directly addressing a baron. My Lady or Your Ladyship is used when directly addressing a baroness.
One barony has been held by a Johnson:
Baron Webb-Johnson of Stoke-on-Trent
Created for Alfred Edward Webb-Johnson (1880-1958). He was a colonel in the Army Medical Service during the First World War, served as Queen Mary’s surgeon from 1936 to 1953, and was president of the Royal College of Surgeons. On March 15, 1945, he was created a baronet of Stafford County’s Stoke-on-Trent. He was elevated to Baron Webb-Johnson of Stoke-on-Trent in the County of Stafford on June 22, 1948. The baronetcy and barony became extinct upon his death.
Johnson Baronetcies
A baronet is someone who has received a baronetcy, a hereditary title from the British Crown. They rank below barons but above knights, with the exception of the Knights of the Garter in England and The Order of the Thistle in Scotland. Baronets are addressed as “Sir (forename),” and their wives are addressed as “Lady (surname).”
Five baronetcies have been created for people with the last name Johnson:
Johnson Baronetcy of New York (America)
Created in the Baronetage of Great Britain in 1755 for William Johnson (1715-1774).
William was born in County Meath, Ireland, but moved to New York to manage an estate purchased by his uncle. As the major general of English forces in North America, he led his troops to victories at Crown Point and the Battle of Lake George.
William’s family name was originally MacShane (Irish: Mac Seáin), a variant of Johnson. The baronetcy is currently held by Sir Colpoys Guy Johnson, 8th Baronet (b. 1965).
Johnson-Walsh Baronetcy
Created in the Baronetage of Ireland in 1775 for John Allen Johnson (c.1745-1831). John was a member of parliament representing Baltinglass in the Irish House of Commons from 1784 to 1790 and the High Sheriff of Queen’s County in 1792. The title became extinct upon the fifth baronet’s death in 1953.
Johnson Baronetcy of Bath
Created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1818 for Henry Johnson (1748-1835), the governor of Ross Castle in County Kerry, Ireland. The title has been dormant since 1986 but may be claimed by the presumed eighth baronet, Patrick Eliot Johnson (b. 1955).
Johnson-Ferguson Baronetcy
Created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1906 for Edward Johnson-Ferguson (1849-1929). Edward was a successful businessman and a Liberal Member of Parliament for Loughborough. The title is currently held by Sir Mark Edward Johnson-Ferguson, fifth Baronet (b. 1965).
Johnson Baronetcy of Dublin
Created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1909 for William Moore Johnson (1828-1918), an Irish lawyer, judge, and politician. He was known as a very kind man but earned the nickname “Wooden-headed Billy” for his inability to get the facts of a case right. The baronetage became extinct on his death in 1919.
Johnsons That Shaped History
Many people with the surname Johnson are noteworthy for contributions that shaped history for better or worse. Here are a few of the more prominent Johnsons in history:
Andrew Johnson: 17th President of the United States
Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) was the President of the United States from 1865 to 1869, succeeding Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. Johnson was a Democrat who had campaigned alongside Lincoln on the National Union Party ticket. He took office at the close of the Civil War and advocated for the quick reintegration of seceded states into the Union without any protections for recently emancipated slaves. This attitude strained relations with the Republican-controlled Congress, and Johnson was eventually impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868. He was, however, acquitted by a single vote in the Senate.
Some notable achievements were made during Andrew Johnson’s presidency. He oversaw the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which ended slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. The Johnson Reconstruction Plan, which attempted to quickly restore the seceded states to the Union, was also enacted by Johnson. He also signed many pieces of legislation that extended civil rights to African Americans and formed the Freedmen’s Bureau to assist newly freed slaves in adjusting to their new life. Johnson also supported the acquisition of Alaska from Russia, which proved to be a tremendous addition to the country’s natural resources.
Robert Wood Johnson I: Co-founder of Johnson & Johnson
Robert Wood Johnson I (1845-1910) began his career as an apothecary. While working for the New York company Roushton & Aspinwall, he met George Seabury. Together, he and Seabury decided to start a new apothecary company, Seabury & Johnson, based on the antiseptic surgical discoveries of British surgeon and medical scientist Joseph Lister. The company quickly became successful, but disagreements between the two partners led to Robert selling his part of the business to Seabury. Robert received monthly payments and agreed to stay out of the medical business for 10 years.
Without Robert, Seabury soon found himself in financial trouble and was unable to make the monthly payments they had agreed on. Seabury proposed allowing Robert to re-enter the medical business in exchange for debt forgiveness, and Robert quickly agreed. This made it possible for Robert to work for the struggling young medical company that his two brothers, James Wood Johnson (1856-1932) and Edward Mead Johnson (1852-1934), were running. The new partnership gave Robert 50% of Johnson & Johnson for a capital infusion and his management of the company. By early 1888, the company was making $25,000 a month (equivalent to $753,981 in 2021). Today, Johnson & Johnson is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with more than $90 billion in annual sales.
Gertrude Johnson: Co-founder of Johnson & Wales University
Gertrude Irene Johnson (1876-1961) was a teacher and co-founder of Johnson & Wales Business School (now Johnson & Wales University) in Providence, Rhode Island. After earning a master’s degree in education in 1897, Gertrude worked as a teacher in public schools and then as a bank examiner. In 1913, she joined her friend Mary T. Wales at the Rhode Island Commercial School and shared a common aspiration of opening their own business school in Providence. In 1914, they established the Johnson & Wales Business School with a single student and one typewriter. Today, Johnson & Wales University boasts more than 7,000 students across multiple campuses.
Jack Johnson: First African American Heavyweight Boxing Champion
John Arthur “Jack” Johnson (1878-946) was a trailblazer in the world of boxing, breaking racial barriers in an era marked by deep segregation and racial tensions. Jack worked his way up from poverty to become the first African American heavyweight boxing champion of the world, a title he won in 1908 after defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. His victory ignited controversy and spurred a search for a “Great White Hope” to reclaim the title. This culminated in the famous 1910 “Fight of the Century” against former champion James J. Jeffries, which Jack won decisively. Outside the ring, Jack was known for challenging racial norms and was convicted in 1913 by an all-white jury for violating the Mann Act, a racially motivated charge that tarnished his career.
Amy Johnson: Pioneering English Pilot
Amy Johnson (1903–disappeared 1941) was an English pilot who gained worldwide fame as the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. During the 1930s, she set many long-distance records, either solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison. As one of the most famous female pilots of her era, she was the subject of several film and television projects and inspired several popular songs.
On January 5, 1941, Amy went missing during a flight while serving as a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII. Her plane veered off course in bad weather and crashed in the Thames Estuary near Herne Bay in South East England. She was spotted in the water a short time later, but her body was never recovered. The exact circumstances of her death are controversial with some believing that she was shot down by friendly fire.
Lyndon Johnson: 36th President of the United States
Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-1973), known as LBJ, was an American politician. He was the 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He was also Vice President under President John F. Kennedy; a United States Representative; United States Senator; and Senate Majority Leader.
LBJ is one of the more controversial presidents in American history. Political scholars give him high marks for his civil rights, health care, welfare, and education policies. His primary achievements include the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. However, he is often criticized for his management of the Vietnam War. His inability to clearly define and articulate America’s objectives and reasons for being in the war extended the conflict resulting in the loss of many lives. LBJ’s wife, Lady Bird Johnson, was a passionate advocate for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways.
Boris Johnson: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (b. 1964) is a British politician. He held several positions in the government of the United Kingdom, including Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022, Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018, and Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015 and previously represented Henley from 2001 to 2008.
One of the most significant achievements during his tenure as Prime Minister was securing the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, following a referendum in 2016. Domestically, Johnson increased the number of police and made improvements to the National Health Service. His achievements were accompanied by several controversies, including accusations of mishandling the pandemic response and allegations of ethical misconduct.
Johnson DNA Project
A Johnson DNA Project is hosted by FamilyTreeDNA. The main goal of the project is to identify and unite the various branches of the Johnson, Johnston, and Johnstone family trees through DNA test results. Currently, there are 2,961 participants.
Johnson Ancestry Resources
- Bardsley, C. W. (2017). A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. In With Special American Instances (Classic Reprint). Burke, B. (1884).
- The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales: Comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time. London: Harrison.
- (Johnson) The Baronetage of England, Ireland, Nova Scotia, Great Britain and the United Kingdom. (2020, December).
- Search For Soldiers – The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). NPS.GOV.
- Johnson family papers, 1776-1937. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Search for “johnson” – Genealogy.com. (n.d.).
