Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
DAWSON
There are approximately 56,608 people named Dawson in the UK. That makes it the 139th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 896 are named Dawson.
Region of origin
British Isles
Country of origin
England
Language of origin
English
Religion of origin
Christian
Classification
English
From name of parent
Related and similar surnames
DowsonDav
Darson
Daawson
Dauson
Dausson
Dausonn
Dauwson
Dausoun
Dausen
Dauzon
Dairson
Dausoune
Daerson
Darsons
Dareson
Darrson
Daurson
Darsson
Daresson
Dason
Daorson
Darwson
The Dawson surname in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
Said to be a corruption of the Nor. Fr. D'Ossone, from the town of Ossone, in Normandy. Camden, however, thinks it a contraction of Davison, the son of David, which is the more probable derivation.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
DAWSON. See David. The late earl of Portarlington averred tliat it ought to be D'Ossoune 1 Arthur says there is a town in Normandy called Ossone, hut the Itin. Norm, does not give it.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.