Dickson

Dickson is both a surname and a place name with roots in the English and Scottish traditions. As a surname, it is patronymic, meaning “son of Dick,” with Dick a medieval diminutive of Richard. The form Dickson has circulated widely, and it has related variants such as Dixon. The name appears across English-speaking countries and is associated with families dating back to the medieval period.

Dickson is used as a place name in several countries. Notable examples include Dickson, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra that hosts a local shopping district and residential neighborhoods; Dickson, Tennessee, a city in Dickson County; and Dickson City, Pennsylvania, a borough in Lackawanna County. Beyond these, the name appears in other towns, neighborhoods and streets, reflecting historical ties to settlers or local figures bearing the surname.

As a surname, Dickson is borne by many individuals across politics, science, the arts and sports, reflecting its widespread usage in the English-speaking world. In addition to people and places, the name appears in the naming of institutions, streets and landmarks, often commemorating families or individuals linked to local history.

See also: Dixon, a related surname and place-name variant.