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 10,257
Agricultural Labourer 802
Coal Miner 752
Domestic Servant 480
Dress Maker 479
Cotton Weaver 460
General Labourer 408
Labourer 377
General Servant 313
Annuitant 307
House Keeper 216
Laundress 211
Joiner 198
General Servant Domestic 190
Farm Labourer 174
Farmers Son 154
Tailor 137
Blacksmith 136
Farm Servant Indoor 136
Butcher 131
Carpenter 126
Grocer 116
Charwoman 113
No Occupation 110
Farmers Wife 107

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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