Surname Jameson - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Strands of the Jameson Heritage With iGENEA

The results of my recent iGENEA DNA test have proven both intriguing and enlightening, offering a wealth of information about my ancestry and the history of the Jameson surname. The data acquired from my gene pool has unthreaded long stories of migration, integration, and change that have shaped my familial identity.

S. Jameson

Jameson: What does the surname Jameson mean?

The last name Jameson is of English and Scottish origin and is a patronymic name meaning 'son of James'. The name James itself is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning supplanter or one who follows. Over time, the name evolved into James in English vernacular. Subsequently, the name Jameson was developed to denote lineage, indicating that a person was the son of someone named James. It is similar to other patronymic names following the same 'son of' pattern like Johnson (son of John) or Wilson (son of Will). This surname is widespread in Ireland and Scotland, often Anglicized from the Gaelic equivalent "MacSeamus".

Jameson: Where does the name Jameson come from?

The surname Jameson is of English and Scottish origin. Derived from the given name James, it means "son of James". The name James itself is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows". This surname spread to Ireland during the Anglo-Norman conquest in the 12th century, where it has been popular ever since. It is particularly prevalent in parts of Northern Ireland. Over time, numerous families adopted the name, further contributing to its commonality.

Today, Jameson is a widespread surname in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In Ireland it remains common, with a particular concentration in and around Dublin, partially due to the fame of the Jameson Whiskey brand that originated in Dublin in the late 18th century. Therefore, people bearing the Jameson surname can be found in many corners of the world, linked by a shared name of rich historical import.

Variations of the surname Jameson

The surname Jameson is of Scottish and English origin derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter." In Scottish, it means 'son of James.' It is often misspelled, and spelling variations include Jamieson, Jaimeison, Jaimeson, Jemeson, Jamyson, Jamison, Jamesen and Jemison. However, the most common variants are Jamieson and Jamison which are more prevalent in Scotland and Ireland respectively. The surname can also crossover with similar surnames from different cultures due to phonetic similarities, such as the Scandinavian surnames Jacobson or Jacobsen, which carry the same 'son of Jacob’ meaning. In Eastern European countries they might also appear as Jakubson or Jakobson. However, these derivations might not have the same exact lineage or historical origin as the Jameson surname. Other less common surnames of the same origin can be derived from local cultural and linguistic modifications.

Still, it should be noted that surnames' spelling can significantly vary over time and location. They can depend on factors such as regional dialects, illiteracy (when surnames were phonetically written), and immigration (when surnames were changed to conform to new local languages).

It's always recommended to explore individual family histories and genealogy to determine the accurate origin and variant of a surname.

Famous people with the name Jameson

• Jenna Jameson: An American entrepreneur, webcam model, and former pornographic film actress.
• Erika Harold: Known professionally as Erika Jameson, she’s a former Miss America and attorney.
• Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders: Known professionally as Jewel Jameson, she’s best known for her role in How I Met Your Mother.
• Lisa Jane Persky: Known professionally as Lisa Jameson, she is an American actress, journalist, artist, and photographer.
• Pauline Jameson: A popular British film, theatre, and television actress.
• Bill Jameson: A former Major League Baseball player.
• Derek Jameson: An English tabloid journalist and TV broadcaster.
• John C. Jameson: An American geologist, planetary scientist, and an Apollo 16 astronaut support crew member.
• Charles Jameson Grant: A Scottish painter and political cartoonist, who used the pseudonym Jameson.
• Jenna McGrath: Known professionally as Tucker Jameson, she’s an American singer-songwriter and musician.
• Nick Jameson: American actor and voice actor, known for his performance in the popular series, 24.
• Marie Jameson: A fictional character from the popular series Walker, Texas Ranger.
• Fredric Jameson: An American literary critic and Marxist political theorist.
• John Jameson: Founder of the Jameson Irish Whiskey company.

Other surnames

James