Johnson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Johnson is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquestof 1066. Johnson is a name that comes from the given name John and the name literally means “son of John.” The given name John is derived from the Hebrew name Johanan, which means Jehovah has favored. The name was extremely popular in the Middle Ages as a result of the numerous connections between the name John and the Christian Church.

Early Origins of the Johnson family

The surname Johnson was first found in Lincolnshire, where many of the ancient and leading houses of the family name claim descent originally from the house of FitzJohn in Normandy, particularly that of one of the leading branches and oldest, the Johnsons of Ayscough-Fee. [1]

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list many of the name: Willelmus Joneson; Willelmus Johnson, 1379; Robertus Johanson; Juliana Jonesson; Ricardus Joneson; and Robertas Jonson. [2]

Early History of the Johnson family

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

Johnson Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person’s name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Johnson, Joneson, Jonson, Joynson and others.

Early Notables of the Johnson family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Benjamin Jonson (1572-1637), an English playwright, poet, actor, and literary critic; Daniel Johnson (1629-1675), an English buccaneer born in Bristol, who sailed against the Spanish during the late 17th century becoming known among the Spanish as “Johnson the Terror”; Sir Nathaniel Johnson (1644-1713), an English soldier and a Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1680-1689); Sir Henry Johnson.

Johnson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Johnson is the 2^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,014,470 people with that name. [3] However, in Canada, the name Johnson is ranked the 9^thmost popular surname with an estimated 79,492 people with that name. [4] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Johnson is the 493^rd popular surname. [5] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Johnson as 80^th with 352 people. [6] France ranks Johnson as 4,983^rd with 1,500 – 2,000 people. [7] Australia ranks Johnson as 8^th with 67,462 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Johnson as 19^th with 6,145 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Johnson as 10^th with 151,464 people. [10] South Africa ranks Johnson as 166^th with 37,484 people. [11]

 Migration of the Johnson family to Ireland

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

 Johnson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Johnson or a variant listed above were: 

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mr. William Johnson, laborer who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship “Discovery” in 1607 [12]
• Mr. Joseph Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship “William and Thomas” [12]
• Mrs. Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship “Bona Nova” [12]
• Mr. Edward Johnson, (b. 1595), aged 26, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “Abigaile” [13]
• Mr. Richard Johnson, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Southampton” [12]

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Catherine Johnson, who landed in Virginia in 1703 [14]
• Arthur Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [14]
• Anne Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [14]
• Adam Johnson, who landed in New England in 1738 [14]
• Abraham Johnson, who landed in New England in 1760 [14]

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Bryan Johnson, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 [14]
• Archibald Johnson, aged 21, who arrived in Maryland in 1813 [14]
• Deborah Johnson, who landed in Massachusetts in 1813 [14]
• Michael Johnson, who was living in New York in 1818
• Ellen Johnson, aged 40, who landed in America in 1822 [14]

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Christ Johnson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1905 [14]
• Alfred Johnson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1914 [14]
• Arnold Johnson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1917 [14]

 Johnson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• Thomas Johnson, who sailed to St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1666 [15]

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• James Johnson, who was living in Lower Island Cove, Newfoundland in 1768 [15]
• Mr. John Johnson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 465 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York [16]
• Mr. Jonas Johnson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [16]
• Mr. George Johnson U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Port Matoon Association [16]
• Mr. Henry Johnson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [16]

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Bridget Johnson, who arrived in Quebec in 1825
• Joseph Johnson, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Billow” in 1833
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 6 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse IsleQuarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Sir Henry Pottinger” departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 1st October 1847 [17]
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse IsleQuarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Lady Gordon” departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 28th June 1847 [17]
• Mr. Joseph Johnson, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse IsleQuarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Superior” departing from the port of Londonderrry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In September 1847 [17]

 Johnson migration to Australia+

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

Johnson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Johnson, (Presbury), English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Mr. John Johnson, English convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Miss Mary Johnson, (b. 1772), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1852 [19]
• Miss Sarah Johnson, (b. 1783), aged 15, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1840 [19]

Johnson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Alice Johnson, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1783), aged 17, British Convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1803 [20]
• Mr. Robert Johnson, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]
• Mr. James Johnson, British convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[21]
• Mr. John Johnson, (Lawrence, Clement), British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [21]

 Johnson 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: 

Johnson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• James Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Success
• William Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• Thomas Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
• Dav Johnson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bengal Merchant [22]
• Edward Johnson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway

 Johnson 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. [23]

Johnson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Abram Johnson, (b. 1607), aged 27, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 [14]
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship “Hopewell” arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 [14]
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship “The Dorset” arriving in Barbados in September 1635 [24]
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 28 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship “Amity” in 1635 [13]
• Benjamin Johnson, who immigrated to Barbados in 1660

Contemporary Notables of the name Johnson (post 1700) +

• John Harold Johnson (1918-2005), American businessman, publisher, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, the first African American to appear on the Forbes 400, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Frank Minis Johnson Jr. (1918-1999), American Federal judge and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (b. 1964), British politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party (2019-2022)
• Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson (1918-2020), American mathematician, known for her calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019, inspiration for the film Hidden Figures
• President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the United States (1865 to 1869), succeeding to the Presidency upon the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
• Joseph Edwin Johnson (1933-2023), American academic
• Sherry Combs Johnson (1938-2023), American ProRodeo Hall of Fame barrel racer, winner of the 1962 World Barrel Racing Championship at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Fort Worth, Texas
• Tracy Illya Johnson (1966-2023), American National Football League (NFL) running back from Concord, North Carolina who played from 1989 to 1996
• Scott Richard Johnson (1952-2023), American composer, born in Madison, Wisconsin, known for his pioneering use of recorded speech as musical melody
• Douglas J. “Doug” Johnson (1942-2022), American politician, Member of the Minnesota Senate (1977-2002)