Show ContentsIanson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

One of the most common classes of Scottish surnames is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the personal name of the original bearer's father. The surname Ianson is derived from the ancient Scottish given name Ian which itself comes from the Hebrew given name Yocjanan, which means Jehovah has favored me with a son. 1

Early Origins of the Ianson family

The surname Ianson was first found in Westmorland, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Ianson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ianson research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1617, 1648, 1665, 1684 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Ianson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ianson Spelling Variations

Scottish surnames are distinguished by a multitude of spelling variations because, over the centuries, the names were frequently translated into and from Gaelic. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Ianson has also been spelled Ianson, I'Anson, Janson and others.

Early Notables of the Ianson family

Notable among the family at this time was

  • John Ianson of Corfe Castle


United States Ianson migration to the United States +

Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Ianson, or a variant listed above:

Ianson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George I'Anson, who settled in America in 1696
Ianson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Jane H. I'Anson, aged 40,arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" from Callao, Peru 2
  • Edgar W. I'Anson, aged 39, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" from Callao, Peru 2

Canada Ianson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ianson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John, Thomas and William Ianson were all on record in the 1871 Census of Ontario, Canada

Australia Ianson migration to Australia +

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

Ianson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Leonard I'Anson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "City Of Adelaide" in 1839 3
  • Maria I'Anson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "City Of Adelaide" in 1839 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Ianson (post 1700) +

  • Sir John I'Anson (1733-1800), 7th Baronet of Bassetbury, English peer from New Bounds, Kent
  • Sir John Bankes I'Anson (1759-1799), 6th Baronet of Bassetbury, English peer, rector of Corfe Castle, Dorset
  • Sir Thomas Bankes I'Anson LL.B (1724-1799), 5th Baronet of Bassetbury, English peer, born Languedoc, rector of Corfe Castle, Dorset
  • Sir Thomas Bankes I'Anson (1701-1764), 4th Baronet of Bassetbury, English peer, Gentleman Porter of the Tower of London
  • Lisa I'Anson (b. 1965), British TV broadcaster and VJ
  • Henry I'Anson (1734-1767), British naval officer and commander
  • Edward I'Anson (1812-1888), English architect, President of both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Surveyors' Institution
  • Charles William Paul "Chaz" I'Anson (b. 1986), former English rugby league player
  • Charlie Dean I'Anson (b. 1993), known simply as Charlie, an English professional footballer
  • S J I'Anson, British lecturer at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CITY OF ADELAIDE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839CityOfAdelaide.htm


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