Wilson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Wilson

What does the name Wilson mean?

The saga of the name Wilson begins among the Viking settlers who arrived in Scotland in the medieval era. The name Wilson is derived from the personal name William. The name literally was derived from the patronymic expression son of William or son of Wil. 1

"The family are said to be descended from a Prince of Denmark, and were established at a very remote period in the Orkney islands, intermarrying with the clans of Monro, and others. After a long continuance in the north, alliances taking place with some of the principal Lowland families, the Wilsons moved southward. " 2

Early Origins of the Wilson family

The surname Wilson was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where John Wulson was a merchant in the service of Sir John of Montgomery in 1405. Michael Wilsoun was Burgess of Irvine in 1418, and John Wilson was Burgess of Berwick in 1467. 1

Early History of the Wilson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilson research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1567, 1603, 1662, 1667, 1680, 1685, 1704, 1750 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wilson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilson Spelling Variations

Contemporary spellings of ancient Scottish names often bear little resemblance to the original recorded versions. These spelling variations result from the fact that medieval scribes spelled words and names alike according to their sounds. Wilson has been spelled Wilson, Willson, Wilsone, Wulson, Wilsoun and others.

Early Notables of the Wilson family

Margaret Wilson (died 1685), one of the Wigton martyrs, a young Scottish Covenanter from Wigtownshire executed by drowning for refusing to swear an oath declaring James VII; and John Willison (1680-17...
Margaret Wilson (1667-1685), the 'martyr of the Solway,' and the eldest daughter of Gilbert Wilson (d. 1704), a yeoman of Penninghame, Wigtownshire, was born at Glenvernock in that parish in 1667. " T...

Wilson World Ranking

the United States, the name Wilson is the 8^th most popular surname with an estimated 843,093 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Wilson is ranked the 8^th most popular surname with an estimated 82,768 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Wilson is the 554^th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Wilson as 689^th with 63 people. 6 Australia ranks Wilson as 5^th with 92,731 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Wilson as 6^th with 8,044 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Wilson as 6^th with 200,236 people. 9 South Africa ranks Wilson as 314^th with 21,443 people. 10

Migration of the Wilson family to Ireland

Some of the Wilson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilson migration to the United States +

The colonies on the fertile east coast of North America soon had many farms run by Scots. These hardy settlers provided a backbone for the great nations of the United States and Canada that would emerge in the next centuries. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Scottish name Wilson or a variant listed above, including:

Wilson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Henrie Wilson, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Sampson" 12
Mr. Thomas Wilson, (b. 1593), aged 27, British servant who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Abigaile" 13
Mr. Henery Wilson, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Truelove", died by 1624 12
Clement Wilson, who landed in Virginia in 1622 14
John Wilson, who settled in Virginia in 1623
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Cornelius Wilson, who landed in Virginia in 1712 14
David Wilson, who settled in Virginia in 1719
Anne Wilson, a bonded passenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1724
Alexander Wilson, a Scotch-Irish settled in Boston sometime between 1730 and 1736
Elizabeth Wilson, who landed in Augusta County, Va in 1740 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Samuel Wilson, who arrived in New York from Londonderry in 1803 aboard the "Independence"
Joseph Wilson of Belfast, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1803, aboard the "Snow George"
Eleanor Wilson, aged 36, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 14
James Wilson, who arrived in New York in 1806 aboard the "Augusta" from Dublin, Ireland
Brown Wilson, who landed in Ohio in 1807 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thos Wilson, aged 59, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mr. William Wilson, aged 15, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Wilson migration to Canada +

Wilson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Wilson, who settled in St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, in 1703 15
Henry Wilson, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1749
Ann Wilson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
Barbara Wilson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Mr. Dyann Wilson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 536 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Wilson, who emigrated from Yorkshire to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1813 15
John Wilson, who emigrated from Yorkshire to in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1813 15
George Wilson, aged 56, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Isobel Wilson, aged 43, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
James Wilson, aged 15, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. James Wilson, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Mr. Alexander Wilson, (b. 1767), aged 22, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. Joseph Wilson, British settler convicted at Yorkshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. John Wilson, (1760 - 1795), aged 29, British settler convicted at Bedfordshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for felony, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. James Wilson, British settler convicted at Reading, England in 1787, sentenced to 14 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12

Second Fleet

Mr. George Wilson, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing copper, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Miss Isabel Wilson, British settler convicted in Northumberland, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Miss Jemima Wilson, (Waster), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. James Wilson, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. Thomas Wilson, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12

Third Fleet

Mr. Charles Wilson, (b. 1761), aged 26, English settler convicted in London on 10th September 1783, sentenced for life for returning from transport, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, died shortly after arriving 12
Mr. Peter Wilson, (b. 1766), aged 21, English settler convicted in Manchester, England on 20th January 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Mr. John Wilson, (b. 1768), aged 19, English settler convicted in Wigan, Greater Manchester on 10th October 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Mr. James Wilson, British seaman on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Wilson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. William Wilson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17

Wilson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander Wilson, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Miss Rebecca Wilson, British Convict who was convicted in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Thomas Wilson, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
Miss Ann Wilson, (Sarah), Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Miss Bridget Wilson, (Mary Ann, Jackson), English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson 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:

Wilson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J A Wilson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1832
Thomas Wilson, who landed in Cloudy Bay, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Bee
Thomas Wilson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Wilson, aged 39, a joiner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 22
Mary Ann Wilson, aged 32, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Robert Wilson, aged 23, a miner, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
Harold Wilson, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Wilson migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Wilson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Richard Wilson, who arrived in Barbados with his wife and two children and servants in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilson (post 1700) +

Edmund Wilson (1895-1972), American literary critic and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Billy Roy Wilson (1939-2025), United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Elizabeth Jane Wilson (1921-2025), American psychologist, attended Columbia University, earning her master's degree in psychology (1943), served in the United States Navy, after her discharge, attended Case Western Reserve University, earning her PhD degree in clinical psychology (1951)
David Fenwick Wilson (1929-2025), American-born Canadian music scholar, educator, and organist whose academic contributions include a treatise on music of the Middle Ages
Brian Douglas Wilson (1942-2025), American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys, inducted into the 1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Lois Wilson (1894-1988), American actress who worked during the silent film era, best known for her roles as Daisy Buchanan in the 1926 silent film adaptation of The Great Gatsby
Ted Lewis Wilson (1939-2024), American politician, 30th Mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976 until July 1985
Wayne MacArthur Wilson (1957-2024), American professional football player who was a running back for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL)
Edwin Graves Wilson (1923-2024), American academic and professor of English literature at Wake Forest University
... (Another 158 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wilson family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Rodger L Wilson (1966-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Dayton, Ohio, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 24
Andrew Wilson (1901-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
George Albert Theodore Wilson (1913-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. F. Wilson (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
Mr. J. Wilson, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 26
... (Another 102 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Wilson 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: Vincit qui se vincit
Motto Translation: He conquers, who conquers himself.

Sources +

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)
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
"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
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"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
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html