Jackson

Jackson is a surname and given name of English origin. It derives from the given name Jack, a diminutive of John, with the patronymic suffix -son meaning “son of Jack.” The name is widely used in the English-speaking world and also appears as a place name in several countries.

Notable people with the surname Jackson include Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States; Michael Jackson, the American pop singer; Janet Jackson, the American singer; Samuel L. Jackson, the American actor; and Stonewall Jackson, a Confederate general. As a given name, it has been borne by figures such as Jackson Browne, the American singer-songwriter, and Jackson Rathbone, the American actor.

Jackson is the name of numerous towns and counties, especially in the United States. Examples include Jackson, Mississippi, which is the state capital and largest city of Mississippi; Jackson, Tennessee; and Jackson, Wyoming. There are Jackson Counties in several states, reflecting the common practice of honoring notable figures with place names.

In politics and culture, the name appears in phrases such as Jacksonian democracy, describing the political movement associated with Andrew Jackson. The surname has also appeared in music and entertainment, including The Jackson 5, an American pop group formed by members of the Jackson family in the 1960s.