Contents [hide]

Dickson History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Dickson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the Dickson family lived. The name Dickson comes from son of Dick which is a derivative of the personal name Richard. 1

Early Origins of the Dickson family

The surname Dickson was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from the ancient Pictish Clan Keith, and the first Dickson was son of Richard Keith, son of the great Marischal of Scotland, who died in 1249, and Margaret daughter of the third Lord Douglas. Hence the Clan has always claimed to be followers of the Douglas Clan.

"In Scotland it has been variously written at different periods, as Dicson, Dykson, Dikson, Diksoun, Diksoune, Dixson, and Dickson. They are descended from one Richard Keith, said to be a son of the family of Keith, earls-marshal of Scotland, and in proof thereof they carry in their anna the chief of Keith Mareschal. This Richard was commonly called Dick, and his sons, with the carelessess of that age, were styled 'Dickson.'" 2

This was a "Border surname. Thom or Thomas Dicson was the faithful follower of the Douglas in the surprise and capture of Castle Douglas on Palm Sunday, 1307. William Dicsoun witnessed a charter by John Skinner, burgess of Inverness, c. 1360, and William Dicson or Dicsoun appears as bailie of Aberdeen in 1398. Andrew Dicsoun held a land in Edinburgh, 1400, Henry Dikson, Scotsman, had a safe conduct into England in 1426 and William Dicson, Scotsman, had the same in 1445, and James Dekyson or Dekysoun was rector of Kirknutho, 1472, and prebendary of Guthre, 1474." 3

Early History of the Dickson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dickson research. Another 379 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1457, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1479, 1481, 1488, 1505, 1513, 1515, 1527, 1567, 1583, 1606, 1607, 1616, 1617, 1630, 1635, 1638, 1647, 1660, 1663, 1666, 1680, 1688, 1695, 1698, 1702, 1712, 1715, 1721, 1724, 1729, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Dickson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dickson Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Dickson has been spelled Dixon, Dickson, Dixoun, Dikson, Dyxson, Dyckson, Dicksoun, Dicson and many more.

Early Notables of the Dickson family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

David Dickson or Dick (1583-1663), Scottish theologian, born in Glasgow. He "was the only son of John Dick or Dickson, a wealthy merchant in the Trongate of Glasgow, whose father was an old feuar of s...

Dickson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Dickson is the 800^th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Dickson is ranked the 628^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,241 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Dickson is the 284^th popular surname with an estimated 12,332 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Dickson as 239^th with 2,473 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Dickson as 369^th with 17,020 people. 8

Migration of the Dickson family to Ireland

Some of the Dickson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 154 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dickson migration to the United States +

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Dickson:

Dickson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Stephen Dickson, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 9
Peter Dickson, who landed in Virginia in 1623 9
Tho Dickson, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 9
William Dickson, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1642 9
Richard Dickson, who landed in Virginia in 1647 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dickson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Dickson, who settled in Maryland in 1719
Edward Dickson, who settled in Maryland in 1724
Samuel Dickson, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 9
Jane Dickson, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767
David Dickson, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1774 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dickson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Dickson, who arrived in America in 1810 9
J Dickson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 9
Mary J Dickson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 9
Benjamin Dickson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 9
Betsey Dickson, aged 20, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1812 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dickson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dickson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Cochran Dickson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Dickson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Robert Dickson, who settled in Montreal Quebec, in 1781
Dr. James Dickson, who settled in Halifax NS in 1783
Mr. Joseph Dickson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10

Dickson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Dickson, aged 23, who landed in Canada in 1811
James Dickson, aged 23, who arrived in Canada in 1811
Debora Dickson, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Susan" in 1838
John Dickson, who landed in Canada in 1841
Mr. Thomas Dickson, aged 10 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Free Trader" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dickson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Dickson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Dickson, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1811 12
Mr. James Dickson, (Dixon), (b. 1794), aged 25, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1819 13
James Dickson, a cartwright, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Miss Bridget Dickson, (Dixon), (b. 1806), aged 20, Irish dress maker who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mrs. Elizabeth Dickson, (Rae), (b. 1800), aged 33, Scottish house maid who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years for uttering coin, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1891 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dickson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dickson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Dickson, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Deborah" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 16
Alexander Dickson, aged 30, a plumber, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
Mr. Charles Dickson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Ennerdale" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1849 16
R.W. Dickson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Ennerdale" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1849 16
Miss Julia Dickson, British settler as Sister of Mercy travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Dinapore" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 5th August 1857 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Dickson (post 1700) +

Alex Dockery Dickson Jr. (1926-2021), American Anglican bishop, the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, serving from 1983 to 1994, born on September 9, 1926 in Alligator, Mississippi
Samuel Henry Dickson (1798-1872), American poet, physician, writer and educator
Earle Dickson (1892-1961), American inventor of the Band-Aid® brand adhesive bandages
Dorothy Dickson (1893-1995), American-born, British actress and singer, member of the Ziegfeld Follies
Robert B. Dickson (b. 1944), American professional PGA golfer
Brenda Irene Dickson (b. 1949), American actress, best known for her rols on The Young and the Restless
Leonard Eugene Dickson (1874-1954), American mathematician awarded the Cole Prize for Algebra in 1928
Andrea R. Dickson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1984 17
Almer F. Dickson, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from East Haddam, 1910, 1912 17
Almar F. Dickson, American politician, U.S. Consul in Gaspé Basin, 1897; Gaspé, 1905-08 17
... (Another 82 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Dickson family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Peter Dickson (1881-1914), Canadian First Class Passenger from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18

Ibrox disaster

Thomas Dickson (1939-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Lanarkshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 19

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Dickson (d. 1912), aged 36, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 20

The Dickson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortes Fortuna Juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the Bold.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 24)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html