Dixon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Dixon

What does the name Dixon mean?

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.”