robinson

Robinson is a surname of English origin, derived from the given name Robin, a diminutive of Robert, with the patronymic suffix -son meaning “son of Robin.” It is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world and has spread to many other countries through migration and cultural exchange. The name is also used as a place name and occasionally as a given name.

Geography: Places and localities named Robinson exist in multiple countries, particularly in the United States. The name can be found in towns, villages, and other administrative divisions, reflecting its widespread use as both a surname and a geographic designation.

Notable people: The surname has been borne by many public figures, including Jackie Robinson (1919–1972), American baseball player who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier. The name appears across diverse fields such as politics, science, arts, and sports.

Literature and culture: Robinson Crusoe is the title character of Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel, one of the most enduring works of English literature and a foundational text in the adventure genre. The name Robinson also appears in various fictional works and media as a character surname or title element.

Other uses: In cartography, the Robinson projection is a world map projection introduced by Arthur H. Robinson in 1963 that aims to balance distortions of size and shape for global maps.