Surname Acheson - Meaning and Origin

Acheson: What does the surname Acheson mean?

The surname Acheson is of Scottish and Irish origin, often found in the form of Atkinson in England. It is derived from the personal name Adam, which in middle English is often given as "Adkin" where “kin” is a diminutive suffix. Adding the possessive “son” to form "Ad(e)kin's son", it eventually evolved into Acheson or Atcheson.

The Achesons were a Scottish family, with the early spelling of their surname as 'Atkinso(u)n’. They settled in Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Over time, their name in Ireland became 'Acheson'. The family was prominent in County Armagh, and their ancestral home was Gosford Castle.

Therefore, the name Acheson generally signifies "son of little Adam". As with many surnames that originated from patronymics, it is widespread, with people by this name found around the world, most commonly in areas with Scottish and Irish ancestry.

Acheson: Where does the name Acheson come from?

The surname Acheson is of Scottish origin, derived from the town of Acheson in East Lothian, Scotland. The earliest documented Acheson was Thomas de Acheson of Gosford, who lived in the 13th century. The name later spread to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulicster in the 17th century. Several distinguished Achesons were figures in Irish history, such as Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford, and Sir Archibald Acheson, 1st Baronet.

Today, the name is most common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is less common in Scotland, likely due to the immigration of Scottish people to these countries over the centuries. Variants of the name, such as Atchison and Aitchison, can also be found. The most famous bearer of the name is Dean Acheson, who served as United States Secretary of State from 1949 to 1953.

Variations of the surname Acheson

The surname Acheson has a few variants and spellings that are quite similar in form. Some of them include Achison, Atchison, Atcheson, Aicheson, Aykescu, Aitcheson, Echison, Acheyson, Acherson, and Akison.

These varying spellings existed due to the fact that in the olden times, spelling was not as standardized as it is today, resulting in many phonetic variants of the same name. In other instances, the surnames have been altered due to the influence of regional dialects where the surname was taken.

This surname is believed to be of Scottish origin. It stems from the paternal form of the personal name Atkin, a pet form of Adam, with the suffix "-son" meaning "son of." The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Acheson, which was dated 1379, in the "Poll Tax Returns Records of Yorkshire."

Typically the surname variants are transactional, where they have changed over the years as families moved across areas and regions. It’s also worth noting that spelling and variants may also differ based on the country of residence. In the United States, Atchison and Atcheson tend to be more common than in the UK or Scotland.

Famous people with the name Acheson

• Dean Acheson: A prominent American statesman and lawyer, he served as the United States Secretary of State during President Harry S. Truman's administration.
• Jake Acheson: An actor notably known for "Rustic Oracle" and "The Pretenders".
• Dean Gooderham Acheson: He was a Canadian-American lawyer and statesman.
• Eleanor Roosevelt Seagraves: Born as Eleanor Roosevelt Acheson, she is the granddaughter of the United States Secretary of State Dean Acheson.
• David Campion Acheson: A son of Dean Acheson, he was a U.S. District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
• Dean Acheson (actor): A British actor who appeared in movies like "The Iron Lady" and "Robin Hood".
• Archibald Acheson, He was a British politician and colonial administrator, who also served as Governor General of British North America.
• Sir Arthur Acheson, He was an Irish politician and baronet.
• Lady Louise Acheson, She is known for her work in the fashion circles of London in the 1930s.
• Emma Acheson: Known for her role in the movie "The Ice House". These are a few people with the surname Acheson who have gained fame in various fields such as politics, law, acting, and fashion.

Other surnames

Achesoneachesoun