Surname Atchinson - Meaning and Origin
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Atchinson: What does the surname Atchinson mean?
Atchinson is a surname of English origin, derived from the personal name "Atkin." Being a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the name of a father or a male ancestor, Atchinson essentially translates to "son of Atkin." Atkin, a Middle English personal name, is a vernacular form of the Hebrew name Adam and was popular during the 13th century. Therefore, the surname Atchinson indicates lineage and reflects ancestral connections. Like many English surnames, spelling variations for Atchinson are common, which include but are not limited to Aitchison, Atkinson, and Atchison. As this name is derived from a common first name, it is widespread and can be found in several countries in different forms, though it is most common in English-speaking nations. One must note that while the surname indicates an ancestral origin or lineage, it does not necessarily assure a genetic connection to others with the same surname.
Order DNA origin analysisAtchinson: Where does the name Atchinson come from?
The surname Atchinson is of Scottish origin and primarily derives from the pet form of the personal name Atkin, a variant of Adkin which itself is a diminutive of Adam. The suffix "son" denotes "son of" explaining the original meaning of Atchinson as "son of Atkin". One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Atchinson was found in the county of Berwickshire, southeast Scotland.
Today, the Atchinson surname is relatively rare in Scotland. However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, several members of the Atchinson clan migrated to Northern Ireland and North America, particularly the United States. As such, this surname can be most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and southern states. It is worth noting Atchison, Kansas, a city named after David Rice Atchison, a mid-19th-century senator from Missouri. This migration patterns and dispersion are also reflected in other English-speaking nations, where you can find bearers of the surname Atchinson.
Variations of the surname Atchinson
The surname Atchinson is assumed to have Scottish origins and is an anglicized form of a number of Gaelic surnames. Several unique versions, ranging from similar spellings to phonetically alike surnames, are associated with Atchinson.
Common variations include Atchison, Atcheson, Acheson, and Aitchison. Some of these may result from the pronunciation in different regions or transcription errors made over time. Atkinson could also be a possible variant based on phonetic similarity and shared roots.
Furthermore, the name Atchinson can be broken down into “Atkin” (a diminutive of Adam) and “son,” which suggests kinship with the forename Atkin or Adam. For this reason, Atkins could also be considered a similar surname.
While Atchinson is the less common variant, Atchison is more widely known and therefore has a broader range of slight variations. Notably, it's worth mentioning that these variations might also have different origins outside of Scotland, as some such as Acheson are also seen in Northern Ireland.
All these versions are reflections of the diverse influences on Scottish names, with shifts occurring over time due to immigration, translation, and regional accents.
Famous people with the name Atchinson
- David Rice Atchison: An American senator and provisional president of the United States for one day.
- Eleanor Atchison: American actress known for playing supporting roles in movies and television shows during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Sam Atchinson: Played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a professional footballer in the Canadian Football League.
- Kenn Atchinson: Australian film director known for his TV drama series 'Water Rats'.
- Paul Atchison: English footballer in the 1940s and 1950s, mainly remembered for his time at Birmingham City.
- George Atchison: A Canadian politician who served as mayor of Victoria, British Columbia.
- Brett Atchison: Former Australian rugby union player who represented the Wallabies. Please note that some of these people may not be well-known globally but may have regional fame and recognition.