Dixon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Dixon originated among the descendants of the ancient Pictish clans. It is derived from son of Dick which is a derivative of the personal name Richard. [1]

Early Origins of the Dixon family

The surname Dixon was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from the ancient Pictish Clan Keith, and the first Dickson was son of Richard Keith, son of the great Marischal of Scotland, who died in 1249, and Margaret daughter of the third Lord Douglas. Hence the Clan has always claimed to be followers of the Douglas Clan.

“In Scotland it has been variously written at different periods, as Dicson, Dykson, Dikson, Diksoun, Diksoune, Dixson, and Dickson. They are descended from one Richard Keith, said to be a son of the family of Keith, earls-marshal of Scotland, and in proof thereof they carry in their anna the chief of Keith Mareschal. This Richard was commonly called Dick, and his sons, with the carelessess of that age, were styled ‘Dickson.'” [2]

This was a “Border surname. Thom or Thomas Dicson was the faithful follower of the Douglas in the surprise and capture of Castle Douglas on Palm Sunday, 1307. William Dicsoun witnessed a charter by John Skinner, burgess of Inverness, c. 1360, and William Dicson or Dicsoun appears as bailie of Aberdeen in 1398. Andrew Dicsoun held a land in Edinburgh, 1400, Henry Dikson, Scotsman, had a safe conduct into England in 1426 and William Dicson, Scotsman, had the same in 1445, and James Dekyson or Dekysoun was rector of Kirknutho, 1472, and prebendary of Guthre, 1474.” [3]

Early History of the Dixon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dixon research.

Dixon Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Dixon include Dixon, Dickson, Dixoun, Dikson, Dyxson, Dyckson, Dicksoun, Dicson and many more.

Early Notables of the Dixon family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was David Dickson or Dick (1583-1663), Scottish theologian, born in Glasgow. He “was the only son of John Dick or Dickson, a wealthy merchant in the Trongate of Glasgow, whose father was an old feuar of some lands called the Kirk of Muir, in the parish of St. Ninians, Stirlingshire. He was born in Glasgow about 1583, and educated at the university, where he graduated M.A., and was appointed one of the regents or professors of philosophy.” [4] John Dixon (d. 1715).

Dixon World Ranking

In the United States, the name Dixon is the 139^th most popular surname with an estimated 164,142 people with that name. [5] However, in Canada, the name Dixon is ranked the 332^ndmost popular surname with an estimated 13,638 people with that name. [6] And in Australia, the name Dixon is the 141^st popular surname with an estimated 20,028 people with that name. [7] New Zealand ranks Dixon as 167^th with 3,141 people. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Dixon as 102^nd with 47,055 people. [9]

 Migration of the Dixon family to Ireland

Some of the Dixon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Dixon migration to the United States +

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people’s interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Dixon: 

Dixon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Henry Dixon, who settled in Virginia in 1606
• Mr. Richard Dixon, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship “Discovery” in 1607 [10]
• Adam Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1612 aboard the ship “Margaret & John” [11]
• Ann Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1622 [11]
• Steven Dixon, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 [11]

Dixon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Hugh Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1701 [11]
• Anne Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1701 [11]
• Margaret Dixon, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [11]
• Robert Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1704 [11]
• Thomas Dixon, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [11]

Dixon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James Johnston Dixon, who landed in New York in 1803 [11]
• Joanna Dixon, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [11]
• Mary Ann Dixon, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [11]
• Henry Dixon, aged 37, who landed in New York in 1812 [11]
• Catherine Dixon, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [11]

 Dixon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Dixon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• William Dixon, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
• Ann Dixon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
• John Dixon, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Mary Dixon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Mr. Joseph Dixon U.E. (b. 1750) who settled in Hampton, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1842 [12]

Dixon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Thomas Dixon, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig “Betsy Heron” from Belfast, Ireland
• Mrs. Matilda Dixon, aged 37 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse IsleQuarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Superior” departing from the port of Londonderry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in October 1847 [13]
• Miss. Ellen Dixon, aged 5 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship “Allan Kerr” departing 23rd June 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 4th August 1847 but she died on board [14]
• Mr. William Dixon, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship “Eliza Caroline” departing 3rd May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th June 1847 but he died on board [14]

 Dixon migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Dixon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Joseph Dixon, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[15]
• Mr. William Dixon, British convict who was convicted in Northumberland, England for life, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[15]
• Mr. John Dixon, English clerk who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Fanny” on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[16]
• Mr. John Dixon, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Fame” on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[17]
• Mr. William Dixon, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Baring” in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[18]

 Dixon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Dixon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Charles Dixon, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• Edward Dixon, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• Joseph Dixon, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• Michael Dixon, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• Michael Dixon, aged 30, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Arab” in 1841

 Dixon migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [19]

Dixon Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Alice Dixon, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Anne and Elizabeth” arriving in Barbados in 1635 [20]
• Humphry Dixon, aged 26, who arrived in Jamaica in 1683 [11]

Contemporary Notables of the name Dixon (post 1700) +

• Medina Dixon (1962-2021), American basketball player born in Boston, Massachusetts, member of the United States women’s national basketball team during the late 1980s and the early 1990s, three-time medalist
• Roscoe Dixon (1949-2021), American politician, Member of the Tennessee Senate (1994-2005)
• Travell Dixon (b. 1991), American football safety who is currently a free agent
• Larry Dixon (1942-2020), American politician, Member of the Alabama Senate (1984-2011)
• Rickey Dixon (1966-2020), American professional football player, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
• Alan John Dixon (1927-2014), American Democratic politician, United States Senator from Illinois (1981-1993), 34th Illinois Secretary of State (1977-1981), Illinois State Treasurer (1971-1977)
• Antonio Dixon (b. 1985), American NFL football nose tackle
• Abram Dixon (1787-1875), American lawyer and politician, New York State Senator (1840-1843)
• Floyd Dixon (1929-2006), American rhythm and blues pianist and singer
• Donna Dixon (b. 1957), American actress

The Dixon Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortes Fortuna Juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the Bold.