Surnames ending in -son

64 surnames built the same way. The ending is not decoration: it is the grammar of how a line got its name, and it repeats across thousands of families.

The root under the ending differs every time. What these names share is the rule, not the meaning — and the rule is often older than any of the roots it attached to.

Surnames in this group

64 surnames taken apart.

• Adamsman, made of earth
• Andersonfrom Andrew — manly
• Andrewsson of
• Barnesson of
• Brooksa brook
• Burnsson of
• Chambersson of
• Collinsfrom Nicholas
• Danielsson of
• Daviesson of
• Davisfrom David — beloved
• Douglasson of
• Edwardsguardian of wealth
• Ellisson of
• EvansWelsh form of John
• Fergusonson of
• Fieldsa field
• Gibsonson of
• Gonzalesson of
• Griffithsson of
• Harrisfrom Henry — ruler of the home
• Hawkinsson of
• Hendersonson of
• Hicksson of
• Holmesson of
• Hudsonson of
• Hughesson of
• Jacksonfrom John
• Jamesson of
• Jenkinsson of
• JohnsonGod has been gracious
• Jonesfrom John
• Lawsonson of
• Lewisfrom Louis — famed warrior
• Matthewsson of
• Millsson of
• Morrisfrom Maurice — dark, Moorish
• Nelsonfrom Neil
• Nicholsson of
• Pattersonson of
• Perkinsson of
• Petersonstone, rock
• Phillipsson of
• Reesson of
• Reynoldsson of
• Richardsonstrong ruler
• Riosson of
• Robertsbright fame
• Robertsonbright fame
• Robinsonfrom Robert
• Rogersfamed spear
• Rossson of
• Sandersson of
• Simmonsson of
• Stephensson of
• Thompsonfrom Thomas — twin
• Vargasson of
• Vriesson of
• Watkinsson of
• Watsonfrom Walter — ruler of the army
• Wellsson of
• Williamswill and protection
• Willisson of
• Wilsonfrom William

By where the surname came from

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