Williamson Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Williamson Surname Name Meaning, History & Etymology

Williamson is a common English language patronymic surname meaning “son of William”. William is an old Germanic name. Williamson is uncommon as a first name, but quite common as a surname in English speaking countries. The name dates back to the ancient root word ‘willahelm’ which meant ‘a willing man with a helmet’ (i.e. protection). This word is largely intact today in the Germanic countries as Willem and Wilhelm. In Normandy it becomes Guillem. By the time of the Norman invasion of our country, this had become today’s Guillaume.

Spelling Variations

Williamson, Wiliamson, Williamsone, Williamsen, Williamsin, Williamsonn, Williamsyn, Williamsen, Williamsinn, Wyllyamson, Wyllyemsen, Wyllamsyn, Wylyamson and many others.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution

There are approximately 223,000 people worldwide that bear the surname of Williamson. The predominant numbers live in the United States, England, Austrilia, and Canada. Williamson has a ranking of 2,441 most common surname.

Early Bearers of the Surname

Notable among the family name Dainty Davie or David Williamson, the ebullient Edinburgh preacher who buried six wives and the seventh buried him. The surname was first recorded in the 1279 Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire with one Richard William, and the patronymic was first recorded in the mid-14th Century (see below). An interesting name bearer was Alexander Williamson (1829 – 1890), a missionary, who was ordained at Glasgow in 1855, and worked under the London Missionary Society in China 1855 – 1858; he was an agent in China to the National Bible Society of Scotland 1863 – 1890. A Coat of Arms granted to a Williamson family in Lancaster is a gold shield, a chevron engrailed between three trefoils slipped black, the Crest being a demi eagle displayed gold, holding in the beak a trefoil slipped black. The Motto “Murus aeneus conscientia Sana”, translates as “A sound conscience is a wall of brass”. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Arnald Williamssone, which was dated 1360, in the “Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester”, during the reign of King Edward 111, known as “The Father of the Navy”, 1327 – 1377. This family immigrated to America from Wales in the United Kingdom around 1724. They settled in Virginia. (The Williamson Family: From Wales to America By: Carla Hoover Farrell )

Williamson Surname General History

The surname Williamson was first found in Peebles, where this mostly Scottish Clan held a family seat in the Scottish Parliament. Their interests were along the English/Scottish border but held territories as far south as Keswick in Cumberland. It is believed that Williamson’s are descended from the Strathclyde Britons. (Kingdom of Strathclyde: Strathclyde, originally Cumbric: Ystrad Clud or Alclud, was one of the early medieval kingdoms of the Britons in Hen Ogledd, the Brythonic-speaking parts of what is now southern Scotland and northern England. ) The original territory for this clan ranged from Lancashire in the south, northward to the south bank of the river Clyde in Scotland.

By the year 1000 A.D. life along the border of England/Scotland was in turmoil. In 1046 6 chiefs from the Scottish side and 6 chiefs from the English side met and produced a set of laws governing all of the border clans. These were unlike any other laws in England or Scotland or anywhere else in the world. Thus the Border Reivers were born. They reigned along the borders of England and Scotland from 1046-1603. In 1603 the English and Scottish crowns were unified under James I and they dispersed these unruly border clans. The border clans were banished to England, Northern Scotland and to Ireland. Some were outlawed directly to Ireland, the Colonies and the New World. Many of these border clans settled in Northern Ireland. The ones that chose to settle in Ireland between 1650-1700 with grants of land if they remained protestant. They became known as the ‘Undertakers’.

Notables

Williamson Surname Name Meaning, History & Etymology

Williamson is a common English language patronymic surname meaning “son of William”. William is an old Germanic name. Williamson is uncommon as a first name, but quite common as a surname in English speaking countries. The name dates back to the ancient root word ‘willahelm’ which meant ‘a willing man with a helmet’ (i.e. protection). This word is largely intact today in the Germanic countries as Willem and Wilhelm. In Normandy it becomes Guillem. By the time of the Norman invasion of our country, this had become today’s Guillaume.

Spelling Variations

Williamson, Wiliamson, Williamsone, Williamsen, Williamsin, Williamsonn, Williamsyn, Williamsen, Williamsinn, Wyllyamson, Wyllyemsen, Wyllamsyn, Wylyamson and many others.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution

There are approximately 223,000 people worldwide that bear the surname of Williamson. The predominant numbers live in the United States, England, Austrilia, and Canada. Williamson has a ranking of 2,441 most common surname.

Early Bearers of the Surname

Notable among the family name Dainty Davie or David Williamson, the ebullient Edinburgh preacher who buried six wives and the seventh buried him. The surname was first recorded in the 1279 Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire with one Richard William, and the patronymic was first recorded in the mid-14th Century (see below). An interesting name bearer was Alexander Williamson (1829 – 1890), a missionary, who was ordained at Glasgow in 1855, and worked under the London Missionary Society in China 1855 – 1858; he was an agent in China to the National Bible Society of Scotland 1863 – 1890. A Coat of Arms granted to a Williamson family in Lancaster is a gold shield, a chevron engrailed between three trefoils slipped black, the Crest being a demi eagle displayed gold, holding in the beak a trefoil slipped black. The Motto “Murus aeneus conscientia Sana”, translates as “A sound conscience is a wall of brass”. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Arnald Williamssone, which was dated 1360, in the “Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester”, during the reign of King Edward 111, known as “The Father of the Navy”, 1327 – 1377. This family immigrated to America from Wales in the United Kingdom around 1724. They settled in Virginia. (The Williamson Family: From Wales to America By: Carla Hoover Farrell )

Williamson Surname General History

The surname Williamson was first found in Peebles, where this mostly Scottish Clan held a family seat in the Scottish Parliament. Their interests were along the English/Scottish border but held territories as far south as Keswick in Cumberland. It is believed that Williamson’s are descended from the Strathclyde Britons. (Kingdom of Strathclyde: Strathclyde, originally Cumbric: Ystrad Clud or Alclud, was one of the early medieval kingdoms of the Britons in Hen Ogledd, the Brythonic-speaking parts of what is now southern Scotland and northern England. ) The original territory for this clan ranged from Lancashire in the south, northward to the south bank of the river Clyde in Scotland.

By the year 1000 A.D. life along the border of England/Scotland was in turmoil. In 1046 6 chiefs from the Scottish side and 6 chiefs from the English side met and produced a set of laws governing all of the border clans. These were unlike any other laws in England or Scotland or anywhere else in the world. Thus the Border Reivers were born. They reigned along the borders of England and Scotland from 1046-1603. In 1603 the English and Scottish crowns were unified under James I and they dispersed these unruly border clans. The border clans were banished to England, Northern Scotland and to Ireland. Some were outlawed directly to Ireland, the Colonies and the New World. Many of these border clans settled in Northern Ireland. The ones that chose to settle in Ireland between 1650-1700 with grants of land if they remained protestant. They became known as the ‘Undertakers’.

Notables

• Claude Berkeley Williamson (1926-2016), American jazz pianist
• Richard Williamson (1941-2015), American college and NFL football coach

• Kate Williamson (1931-2013), born Robina Jane Sparks, an American actress, best known for her roles on Ellen (1995), Disclosure (1994), and Dahmer (2002)

• Richard Salisbury Williamson (1949-2013), American lawyer, diplomat and pedagogue, 17th Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (1988-1989)

• Michael T. “Mykelti” Williamson (b. 1960), American actor

• Oliver Eaton Williamson Ph.D. (b. 1932), prominent author in the area of transaction cost economics and co-winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics

• Hugh Williamson (1735-1819), American political leader, physician, scientist who represented North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention

• Scott Ryan Williamson (b. 1976), American professional baseball player

• Kevin Williamson (b. 1965), American film and television writer, producer and director

• John Williamson (1826-1885), Scottish-born American landscape artist
• Al Williamson (baseball) (1900–1978), American baseball player

• Al Williamson (1931–2010), American cartoonist
• Albert Williamson (1866 – after 1891), English footballer
• Alex Williamson (born 1988), Australian comedian and actor
• Alexander William Williamson (1824–1904), chemist who discovered the Williamson ether synthesis reaction
• Alexander Williamson (missionary) (1829–1890), Scottish Protestant missionary to China with the London Missionary Society
• Alf Williamson (1893–1917), Australian Rules footballer
• Alice Muriel Williamson (1869–1933), British novelist; wife of Charles Norris Williamson
• Alison Williamson (born 1971), British archer
• Allen Williamson, American politician from Oklahoma
• Andrew Williamson (soldier) (c. 1730–1786) Scottish–born American soldier
• Andrew Williamson (born 1946), Manx lawyer and government official
• Anna Williamson (born 1981), British TV presenter
• Arthur Williamson (born 1930), Scottish footballer
• Benedict Williamson (1868–1948), British architect and Catholic priest
• Bobby Williamson (born 1961), Scottish football player and manager
• Bree Williamson (born 1979), Canadian actress
• Charles Norris Williamson (1859–1920), British writer
• Charlie Williamson (born 1956), Scottish footballer
• Clara McDonald Williamson (1875–1976), American painter
• Corliss Williamson (born 1973), American basketball player
• David Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Dominic Williamson (born 1975), English cricketer
• Don W. Williamson (born 1927), Louisiana politician and businessman
• Elizabeth Williamson, professor of pharmacy
• Eric Miles Williamson (born 1961), American novelist
• Emily Williamson (1855–1936), English philanthropist
• Francis John Williamson (1833–1920), British portrait sculptor
• Gavin Williamson (born 1976), British Conservative Party politician, Secretary of State for Defence
• Harold Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Sir Hedworth Williamson, 7th Baronet (1797–1861), British politician
• Sir Hedworth Williamson, 8th Baronet (1827–1900), British Liberal Party politician
• Henry Williamson (1895–1977), British novelist
• Hugh Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• J. C. Williamson (James Cassius Williamson, 1845–1913), American-born actor-manager
• James Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Jack Williamson (1908–2006), American science fiction writer
• John Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Johnny Williamson (footballer, born 1895)
• Joseph Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Kane Williamson (born 1990), New Zealand cricketer
• Kenneth Williamson (1914–1977), British ornithologist
• Kevin Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Kramer Williamson (died 2013), American sprint car racing driver
• Lee Williamson (American football) (born 1968), American football player
• Linda Williamson (born 1952), American politician
• Lionel Williamson (born 1944), Australian rugby league footballer
• Malcolm Williamson (1931–2003), Australian composer
• Malcolm J. Williamson, British mathematician and cryptographer
• Marco Williamson (born 1981), English actor
• Marianne Williamson (born 1952), American spiritual activist, author, and lecturer
• Mark Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Martha Williamson (born 1955), American Television writer, producer, author, activist, Christian
• Matthew Williamson (born 1971), British fashion designer
• Maurice Williamson (born 1951), New Zealand politician
• Michael Williamson (disambiguation), multiple people
• Moses O. Williamson (1850–1935), American politician
• Ned Williamson (1857–1895), American professional baseball player
• Nicol Williamson (1936–2011), Scottish actor
• Norman Williamson (born 1969), jockey
• Norris C. Williamson (1874–1949), American politician
• Oliver E. Williamson (born 1932), American economist
• Pliny W. Williamson (1876–1958), New York state senator
• Pooh Williamson (born 1973), American basketball player and coach
• Ric Williamson (1952–2007), Texas politician
• Richard Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Robert Wood Williamson (1856–1932), British solicitor and anthropologist
• Roger Williamson (1948–1973), English Formula 1 driver
• Roy Williamson (1936-1990), Scottish songwriter, most notably of The Corries
• Samuel Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Sonny Boy Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Stephen F. Williamson, United States Naval Officer
• Timothy Williamson (born 1955), British philosopher
• Troy Williamson (born 1983), American football wide receiver
• William Williamson (disambiguation), several people
• Zion Williamson (born 2000), American basketball player

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Keswick, co. Cumberland). Or, a chev. engr. betw. three falcons’ heads erased az. on a chief gu. a fleur-de-lis enclosed by two suns of the first. Crest—A falcon’s head or, betw. two wings expanded az. on each wing a sun gold.
2) (Melbeck Hall, co. Cumberland; granted 1 Feb. 1670-71). Or, a chev. engr. betw. three trefoils slipped sa.
3) (New Hall, co. Cumberland). Ar. on a chev. engr. betw. three trefoils slipped az. as many crescents or.
4) (cos. Durham, Oxford, and York). Ar. on a chev. az. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. as many crescents or. Crest—Out of a ducal coronet or, a griffin’s head gu. Another Crest—Out of a mural coronet a demi dragon ar. collared gu. Motto—Et patribus et posteritati.
5) (Mount Vernon, near Liverpool, co. Lancaster). Or, a chev. engr. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. Crest—A demi eagle displ. or, holding in the beak a trefoil slipped sa. Motto—Murua aeneus conscientia sana.
6) (Gainsborough, co. Lincoln, and Great Markham, co. Notiingham). Or, a chev. gu. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. Crest—Out of a ducal coronet gu. a dragon’s head, wings endorsed or.
7) (co. Middlesex, and Denford, co. Northampton). Ar. on a chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. as many crescents or. Crest—Out of a ducal coronet gu. a demi wyvern with wings endorsed or.
8) Same Arms. Crest—A buck’s head erased az attired ar. on the neck a sun or.
9) (Burton, co. Nottingham; descended from John Williamson, of Wakeringham, same co., temp. Henry VII., who had two sons: 1) Giles, great-grandfather of John Williamson, of Burton, temp. James I.; 2) Richard, great-grandfather of Richard Williamson, of Hayton, co. Notts, temp. James I.; granted by Camden, Clarenceux, 1602. Visit. Nott.s, 1614). (Gainsborough, co. Lincoln; Sir Richard Williamson, Knt., of Gainsborough, temp. James I , grandson of Giles Williamson, the eldest son of John Williamson, of Wakeringham, temp. Henry Vll. Visit. Notts, 1614). Or, a chev. gu. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. Crest—Out of a mural coronet gu. a demi griffin segreant or.
10) (Norloshby and Mares Ashby, co. Northampton quartered by Williamson, of Tusmore; Bridget, dau. and heir of Nicholas Williamson, Esq., of Mares Ashby, m. Thomas Williamson, Esq., of Tusmore. Visit. Oxon, 1674). Or, a chev. betw. three griffins’ heads erased az. on a thief gu. a fleur-de-lis enclosed by two suns inn splendour or.
11) (Tusmoree, co. Oxford; Thomas Williamson, of Tusmore, temp. Queen Elizabeth, grandson of JoaN Williamson, temp. Edward IV. Visit. Oxon, 1574). Ar. on a chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. as many crescents or, quartering, 1st, Salfield; 2nd, Williamson, of Norloshby; 3rd, Croker.
12) (East Markham, co. Nottingham, bart.). Or, a chev. gu. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. Crest—Out of a mural crown gu. a demi wyvern’s head, wings endorsed or.
13) (Peckham, co. Surrey; granted to Joshua Williamson, Esq.). Ar. on a chev. engr. az. betw. two trefoils slipped in chief and a crescent in base sa. a trefoil also slipped enclosed by two crescents or. Crest—A buck’s head couped sa. attired or, charged on the neck with the sun in splendour ppr. betw. the attires a trefoil slipped also sa. Motto—Constare in sententia.
14) (St. Anne, Westminster; arms on the monument of Philadelphia, dau. of Ralph Williamson, of St. Anne, Westminster, 1706). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a chev. engr. betw. eight cinquefoils slipped ea. three crescents or; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a chev. engr. betw. three mullets sa. and on a chief gu. three bucks’ heads cabossed or. Crest—A buck’s head cabossed or, betw. the attires a swan ppr.
15) (co. Westmorland). Ar. on a chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils vert as many crescents or.
16) (co. York). Ar. on a chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. as many crescents or, a border engr. of the second.
17) (Hopper Williamson; descendedfrom Robert Hopper, Esq., Recorder of Newcastle-on-Tyne, who m. 1782, Anne, only dau. and heir of Rev. William Williamson, D.D., Rector of Whickham, co. Durham, brother of Sir Hedworth Williamson, fifth bart. of East Markham, and assumed the additional surname of Williamson). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gyronny of eight sa. and erm. over all a tower triple-towered ar.; 2nd and 3rd, or, a chev. gu. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. Crest—A tower, as in the arms.
18) Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a saltire ar. on a chief gu. a lion pass. guard. or; 2nd and 3rd, or, a chev. engr. betw. three trefoils slipped sa.
19) (Sir John Williamson, one of the Secretaries of State to Charles II., and M.P. for Thetford, 1678). Sa. a chev. engr. betw. three trefoils slipped or. Crest—An eagle issuing from a crown. Motto—Sub umbra alarum tuarum.
20) Ar. three crosses sa.
21) (Scotland, 16th century). Ar. a saltire betw a boar’s head erased in chief and three stars in flanks and base sa.
22) (Banniskirk, co. Caithness). Ar. a saltire engr. sa. cantoned with a boar’a head erased gu. two mullets az. in flanks, and a mullet of the third in base. Crest—A ship under sail in a sea ppr. Motto—Dominus providebit.
23) (Hutchinfield, Scotland). Ar. a sallire betw. three mullets in chief and flanks sa. and a boar’s head erased in base gu. Crest—A garb lying on its side unbound ppr. Motto—Modice augetur modicum.
24) (Kirkcaldy, Scotland, 1672). Ar. a saltire wavy sa. betw. two boars’ heads erased in chief and base gu. and as many mullets in the flanks of the second. Motto—Modicum modico erit magnum.
25) (Robertson-Williamson, of Balgray, co. Dumfries, 1814). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, erm. a saltire sa. cantoned with a boar’s head erased in chief gu. and three mullets in flank and base of the second; 2nd and 3rd, gu. three crescents interlaced or, betw. as many wolves’ heads ar. a bordure of the third charged with three mullets in chief and five crescents of the field, for Robertson, of Lawers. Crest—A dexter hand holding a dagger erect ppr. Motto—In defence.