Surname Kelson - Meaning and Origin
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Kelson: What does the surname Kelson mean?
The surname Kelson is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it falls into the category of patronymic surnames. In this case, the surname is derived from the personal name Kel, which is a diminutive or nickname of the name 'Kelvin'. The suffix 'son' means 'son of,' so the surname can be translated to mean 'son of Kel'. Although Kelvin is a relatively modern name, it is believed to have Old Celtic origins, deriving from the River Kelvin in Scotland, which means "narrow water." So, metaphorically, Kelson could imply descendancy from someone living near a narrow water body or river. It is important to note that surname meanings can vary based on the cultural and geographical variations in their origin.
Order DNA origin analysisKelson: Where does the name Kelson come from?
The surname Kelson is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the personal name Kel, a diminutive of the name Kettle, and the suffix "-son", which means "son of". Therefore, the literal translation of Kelson is "son of Kel".
The name is common in regions where Scottish people have migrated to over the centuries, especially in English-speaking countries. Today, it can be found in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The distribution of the Kelson surname is relatively scattered, and it is not especially common in any one particular location. In the UK, it may be found more frequently in Scotland due to its origins. Still, it is not among the most common surnames in the country. Overall, people with the last name Kelson are found in nearly every part of the world, a reflection of centuries of migration and global movement.
Variations of the surname Kelson
The surname Kelson can be seen in various forms due to regional pronunciations, spelling variants, and translations. These variants include Kelsen, Kelsson, Kelso, Kelton, Kellison, and Kellson.
Kelson could be a patronymic name meaning "son of Kell", derived from the personal name Kell. Therefore, derivations from father's names like Kellson or Kellsen could also belong to the same origin.
Historically, names often changed due to migration. Therefore, based on phonetics, that surname may also be found as Kelzan, Keleson, Kelsen, Kelsonn, Khelson, Cellson, Kelsons, or Keelson in different regions.
It's important to note that the origins of these surnames could vary. For instance, Kelso is a locational surname deriving from a town in Scotland, whereas Kelson or Kellison might be of Old English or Scandinavian origin. Variants like Kelton might have originated from a place name in England. The name's origin could thus differ based on ethnolinguistic history and geographical context.
However, these variants could be linked to the same root or original family, given how surnames evolved and diversified over centuries and across regions. As with all genealogical research, tracing back the precise origin of the surname and its various forms requires dedicated historical research.
Famous people with the name Kelson
- Kelly Kelson: Canadian rower who won a gold medal in the women's eight event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Bill Kelson: United States Navy Admiral who served as the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific from 2007 to 2011.
- Doug Kelson: Canadian hockey player who had a long career with the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens.
- Stanley Kelson: British physicist who wrote extensively on optics and thermodynamics.
- Ray Kelson: Major League Baseball outfielder who had a brief career with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants.
- Thomas Kelson: Australian author and academic whose works include the speculative fiction novel The Rats of Kelson's Island.
- Chrystal Kelson: American R&B singer and songwriter best known for her mid-1990s hit single, "Let the Beat Ride."
- Bruce Kelson: Canadian actor best known for his roles in the television series Street Legal and Half Human.
- Allan Kelson: American dance choreographer and director who is known for his work on the television series American Gladiators.
- Roger Kelson: English author of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, most notably the Book of Kennings trilogy.