Dickerson

Dickerson is a surname of English origin, a patronymic formed from the given name Richard. The element Dick is a common diminutive of Richard, and the suffix -erson signals “son of,” so Dickerson originally meant “son of Dick (Richard).” The name was borne by families in England and later spread to Scotland, Ireland, and across the Atlantic with settlers. Today it is found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries.

Dickerson also refers to places in the United States. The most prominent is Dickerson, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Montgomery County. The name appears in the names of other small localities, neighborhoods, and historic sites, typically reflecting landowners or founders with the surname Dickerson.

In public life, individuals named Dickerson have been noted across a range of fields, including athletics, politics, education, and the arts. The surname is common enough to appear in various biographical lists and genealogical resources.