Surname Dickson - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Ancestral Ties: A DNA Exploration of the Surname Dickson's Ties to the Viking Era

As I dived into exploring my genealogical background using an iGENEA DNA test, remarkable insights were exposed concerning my surname – Dickson. The DNA test result points towards an intriguing collision of historical narratives - the ancient Viking era and the lineage in Scotland associated with the surname.

L. Dickson

Dickson: What does the surname Dickson mean?

The surname Dickson is believed to have originated from the early days of the Middle Ages among the Anglo-Saxon settlers of England. It is thought to be a topographical name, fellmonger, or a reference to the name of a location, deriving from the Old English word ‘dic’, meaning ‘ditch’ or ‘dyke’. It could also have been derived from a personal name, with the name Dick originally meaning ‘the head of a tribe’ or ‘leader’.

The earliest known reference to the name is from 1199, when one Alexander Dic was documented in a charter in Northumberland. The lineage of the Dickson family is thought to have derived from this individual. As an occupational surname, the name is thought to have referred to someone who was employed to drain and build dykes, or to clean and dress sheep and cattle hides.

From its beginnings in Britain, the Dickson family has now spread to multiple countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and the United States. It is now believed to be one of the most common surnames across the world.

Stemming from its origins in Scotland, the coat of arms of the Dickson family is a gold chevron on a blue field depicting a gold eagle perched on a rock. The motto of the family is “Ubi sol temperat”, meaning “Where the sun tempers”. The Dickson surname signifies a long and proud lineage of ancestors who have been shaped by their past and have since gone on to influence the lives of many generations of people.

Dickson: Where does the name Dickson come from?

The last name Dickson is primarily found in Scotland and northern England today, especially in the Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name 'Dick' (nickname for Richard) and 'son', meaning 'son of Richard'.

In the 19th century, the surname spread to other countries, especially North America, where many people left British shores to start a new life. Today, there is a large and thriving Dickson community living mainly around the Great Lakes (Michigan, Ontario), down the East Coast (especially Pennsylvania) and around the West Coast (Oregon, Washington, California, British Columbia).

The surname is also found in various other parts of the world, such as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, it is particularly popular as a middle name, while in countries such as Scotland and England, it is more predominant as a family name.

This popularity can be attributed to the fact that the Dickson surname carries a rich and historical background with associations from the Anglo-Saxon age, and is thus likely to remain popular in many parts of the world for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Dickson

The surname Dickson is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac Dhuibhshíthe, which means "son of Duibhshíth". Variants of the surname Dickson include Dixon, Dixson, Dicks, Dix and Dick. Spellings such as Dicksone, Dixsone, MacDhuibhshíth, MacDuibhshíthe and MacDuibhsithe can also be found.

The name Dickson is also found as a locational name, derived from places such as the village of Dickson in Renfrewshire, Scotland. This name may be spelled Dicksonne or Dikkeson in records prior to the 18th century. It is also found in Ireland as a variant of the Irish surname McDowell, which is derived from Mac Dubhghaill meaning "son of Dubgal".

The surnames Dickson, Dixon and Dixson can also be found in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, as immigrants from Scotland and England brought the names with them when they emigrated.

In addition, some variants of the name are found in other countries, such as Dicksonne Pieck in Germany, Dicksaun in Estonia, Diksen in Russia, Dicksonis in Lithuania and Dykson in Poland. The name may also be found in its French form as Dixsonne or Dicksonne.

Famous people with the name Dickson

• Emma Dickson: English singer-songwriter
• Craig Dickson: Scottish professional golfer
• Mason Dickson: American football player
• John Dickson: Australian footballer
• Alan Dickson: former professional football player
• Steven Dickson: Australian Member of Parliament
• David Dickson: Scottish businessman and former Lord Provost of Edinburgh
• Margaret Dickson: American politician
• Alexander Dickson: American Marine Corps general
• Wynne Dickson: American writer
• Maurice Dickson: Scottish film director
• Sam Dickson: American white nationalist
• Hill Dickson: Canadian soldier
• Glynis Dickson: American professor of literature
• Alex Dickson: English singer-songwriter
• James Dickson: Scottish political figure
• Fred Dickson: American football player
• Carrie Dickson: British opera singer
• Holly Dickson: American attorney
• Christopher Dickson: American race car driver

Other surnames

DicksDickschasDickschatDickscheidtDickscheitDickschus