Surname Addison - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through Millennia: Tracing My Addison Lineage Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Tracing the journey of the Addison lineage through my iGENEA DNA test was an enlightening and culturally rich experience. The Addison name has its roots in olden England, deriving its meaning as 'son of Adam.' My genetic heritage paints a historical panorama, reflecting humanity's evolution and migration patterns, from early traces in East Africa, through the Fertile Crescent to Europe, farming practices of Neolithic times, and the influence of Viking forefathers.

Y. Addison

Addison: What does the surname Addison mean?

The surname Addison is of English origin and it means "son of Adam". It is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from a paternal ancestor's name. The origin of a name can often be traced back to a specific geographical region or occupational trade. In this case, more specifically, Addison can be traced back to Old English as a compound of two words - "Adam" and "soun" (which means son). Adam is a common first name deriving from the Hebrew name Adam, meaning "man" or "the earth". So, Addison can also be interpreted as the "son of man" or "son of the earth". Over time, variations of the name have occurred such as Adison, Adisson or Adyson. As surnames became necessary for official records and taxes, many families adopted their surnames to denote lineage. Today, it remains a fairly common surname, and it's also used as a first name for both boys and girls.

Addison: Where does the name Addison come from?

The surname Addison is of English origin and generally considered a patronymic name. It comes from “son of Addie”, where Addie is a Middle English personal name derived from Adam. One of the earliest documentation of the name Addison dates back to the 13th century in Northumberland. It was later popularized by the poet and playwright Joseph Addison in the 17th century.

Today, the surname Addison is prevalent in the United States, England, Canada, Australia, and Scotland. According to the British surnames database, it's quite common in Northern England, specifically in counties such as Northumberland and Durham. In the United States, it is reported to be most common in many Southern states including Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, in Scotland and Australia, the surname is found in moderate numbers. Globally, there are approximately 58,000 bearers of the surname Addison making it the 6,312th most common surname in the world.

Variations of the surname Addison

The surname Addison is derived from the personal name Adam, which in itself has numerous variations, some of which could be potential variants or spelling alternations of Addison. These include Addyson, Adison, Adisson, Adeson, and Addeson. Some people tend to add or remove a letter from their surnames for a unique spelling, making "Addisson", "Addason", "Adyson" or "Adysson" possible variants. The most common variation of the surname "Addison" is "Adison".

Additionally, surnames that could potentially be of a similar origin include Adams, Adamson, Addams, and Adamsson, which are all derived from the personal name Adam.

It's important to note that variations in surnames occurred frequently throughout history, often due to different regional languages and dialects, changes in language over time, literacy level of individuals, and simply individual preference or recording error.

It's possible for two people with surnames that share a common origin or similar spelling not to be related, and vice versa, as surnames have developed and organised in various methods in different societies, including by occupation, location, and patronymics.

Famous people with the name Addison

• Joseph Addison: An English essayist, poet, and politician in the early 18th century, known for co-founding 'The Spectator' magazine.
• Clark Addison: A well-known architect during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
• Chris Addison: A British comedian, writer, actor, and director; known for his work in 'The Thick of It' and 'Doctor Who'.
• Stacy Addison: An American diplomat associated with United States Foreign Service.
• Carl Addison: American track and field athlete who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Kate Addison: A contemporary British stage and film costume designer.
• Pauline Addison: British singer who was a member of the popular UK singing group The Kaye Sisters in the 60's.
• John Addison: An Oscar-winning British composer known for his film scores, such as 'Tom Jones', 'A Taste of Honey', and 'Sleuth'.
• Ronnie Addison: An NFL football player for the Washington Redskins in the 1960's.
• Amy Addison: An accomplished American performance artist.
• Charles Addison: British lawyer and author known for his legal writings in the 19th century.
• Lara Addison: An Australian actress who has made numerous television appearances.
• Alex Addison: An American professional basketball player.

Other surnames

AddisAddisenAddisson