Watson Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Watson Name Meaning: Has Anglo-Scottish origins. It is thought to have been brought to Britain by Norman-French invaders and it has a meaning of 'powerful warrior'.

It was first recorded in Devon in 1176.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Watson Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Watson family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 6,673
Agricultural Labourer 901
Labourer 626
Coal Miner 405
Domestic Servant 398
Dress Maker 355
Cotton Weaver 335
General Servant 327
House Keeper 266
Annuitant 205
Servant 202
Blacksmith 194
Laundress 174
Joiner 174
Farm Servant 170
Farm Labourer 163
Tailor 134
Butcher 127
Lead Miner 113
Miner 108
Carpenter 107
Farmer 106
Shoe Maker 105
Gardener 97
Dressmaker 96

Watson Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Watson 100% 367,500
2 Wattson 86% 1,866
3 Witson 83% 1,050
4 Wetson 83% 414
5 Wateson 86% 121

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The surname Watson is the most popular version of all its varients

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