Williamson is a surname of English origin, derived from the given name William, which is ultimately derived from the Germanic name Willahelm. The name means "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior," and it has been popular among English-speaking populations for centuries.
The name Williamson first appeared as a patronymic surname in Scotland during the 13th century. It was often used to denote the son of William, with the suffix "-son" being added to the father's given name. Over time, this practice became less common, and Williamson evolved into a distinct family name.
In England, the surname Williamson was first recorded in the county of Yorkshire during the late 14th century. The name has since spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, with notable occurrences in countries such as Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Some famous individuals with the surname Williamson include:
* Tom Williamson (1879-1953), a British journalist who was the first editor of The Daily Mail.
* James Williamson (1855-1933), an American film pioneer who co-founded the Edison Manufacturing Company with Thomas Edison.
* Gordon Williamson (born 1940), a Scottish footballer who played for several clubs during the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, Williamson remains a popular surname among English-speaking populations worldwide. It is often associated with strength, determination, and courage due to its meaning and origins.
The given statistics illustrate the frequency of the name Williamson in births recorded annually in the United States over several decades. The data shows that while the name Williamson has been present throughout this period, its popularity has varied significantly.
In the early years covered by the statistics, from 1924 to 1983, Williamson was not a particularly common choice for parents naming their newborns. There were only nine births recorded in 1924, and no further data is provided until 1983, when five babies were named Williamson.
However, starting from the mid-1990s, there appears to be a slight increase in the popularity of this name. Between 1995 and 2005, the number of births recorded each year with the name Williamson ranged between five and six, with no notable trends indicating either a consistent rise or fall in popularity.
After a brief dip in popularity around the early 2000s, with only five births recorded in 2012, the name Williamson seemed to regain some traction. The statistics show that there were six births each year between 2014 and 2015, followed by another slight decline to five births in 2023.
Overall, it is clear from these statistics that Williamson has not been a particularly popular choice for parents naming their children over the past century. However, its appearance across several decades suggests that there has consistently been a small but steady number of families who have chosen this name for their newborns. With a total of 87 births recorded between 1924 and 2023, Williamson can be considered a somewhat uncommon yet enduring choice among American parents.