Johnson

Johnson is a surname of English and Scottish origin. It is a patronymic derived from the given name John, meaning “son of John.” The suffix -son is a common forming element in English and Scandinavian names. Variants include Johnston and Johnstone, and the name is sometimes used as a given name in modern times.

The surname is widespread in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, reflecting centuries of migration. It is among the most common surnames in the United States, where it appears across a broad range of communities and regions. The name also appears in many place names, institutions, and cultural references, underscoring its long-standing presence in public life.

Notable people with the surname include Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973), the 36th President of the United States and a leader of the Great Society; Andrew Johnson (1808–1875), the 17th President who led Reconstruction after the Civil War; Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), the English writer and lexicographer who produced a landmark dictionary; Amy Johnson (1903–1941), English aviator and pioneering female pilot; Magic Johnson (Earvin Johnson Jr., born 1959), American basketball player and businessman; and James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938), American author and civil rights leader.

Johnson also names several institutions and places, including the Johnson Space Center in Houston, named after Lyndon B. Johnson; Johnson & Johnson, the multinational health-care company; and numerous Johnson Cities and Johnson Counties across the United States. The name thus appears across history, geography, and culture in a wide array of contexts.