Watson Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Watson Name Meaning: Has Anglo-Scottish origins. It is thought to have been brought to Britain by Norman-French invaders and it has a meaning of 'powerful warrior'.

It was first recorded in Devon in 1176.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Watson Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Watson family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 8,152
Coal Miner 890
Agricultural Labourer 610
General Labourer 608
Cotton Weaver 540
Dress Maker 481
Domestic Servant 422
Farmer 415
Living On Own Means 404
Living On Her Own Means 343
Labourer 308
General Servant Domestic 275
General Servant 228
House Keeper 197
Farm Labourer 196
Farm Servant 194
Joiner 189
Clerk 165
Laundress 164
Blacksmith 160
General Domestic Servant 146
Tailor 133
Butcher 130
Grocer 130
Gardener 116

Watson Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Watson 100% 367,500
2 Wattson 86% 1,866
3 Witson 83% 1,050
4 Wetson 83% 414
5 Wateson 86% 121

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The surname Watson is the most popular version of all its varients

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