Johnson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Johnson or a variant listed above were:

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mr. William Johnson, laborer who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 13
• Mr. Joseph Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "William and Thomas" 13
• Mrs. Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 13
• Mr. Edward Johnson, (b. 1595), aged 26, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Abigaile" 14
• Mr. Richard Johnson, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Southampton" 13
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Catherine Johnson, who landed in Virginia in 1703 15
• Arthur Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 15
• Anne Johnson, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 15
• Adam Johnson, who landed in New England in 1738 15
• Abraham Johnson, who landed in New England in 1760 15
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Bryan Johnson, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 15
• Archibald Johnson, aged 21, who arrived in Maryland in 1813 15
• Deborah Johnson, who landed in Massachusetts in 1813 15
• Michael Johnson, who was living in New York in 1818
• Ellen Johnson, aged 40, who landed in America in 1822 15
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Christ Johnson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1905 15
• Alfred Johnson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1914 15
• Arnold Johnson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1917 15

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• Thomas Johnson, who sailed to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1666 16

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• James Johnson, who was living in Lower Island Cove, Newfoundland in 1768 16
• Mr. John Johnson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 465 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 17
• Mr. Jonas Johnson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 17
• Mr. George Johnson U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Port Matoon Association 17
• Mr. Henry Johnson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 17
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Bridget Johnson, who arrived in Quebec in 1825
• Joseph Johnson, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 6 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Henry Pottinger" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 1st October 1847 18
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Gordon" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 28th June 1847 18
• Mr. Joseph Johnson, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Superior" departing from the port of Londonderrry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In September 1847 18
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Johnson, (Presbury), English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
• Mr. John Johnson, English convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
• Miss Mary Johnson, (b. 1772), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1852 20
• Miss Sarah Johnson, (b. 1783), aged 15, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1840 20

Johnson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Alice Johnson, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1783), aged 17, British Convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1803 21
• Mr. Robert Johnson, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
• Mr. James Johnson, British convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
• Mr. John Johnson, (Lawrence, Clement), British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• James Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Success
• William Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• Thomas Johnson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
• Dav Johnson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bengal Merchant 23
• Edward Johnson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Johnson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Abram Johnson, (b. 1607), aged 27, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 15
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 15
• Mr. John Johnson, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 25
• Mr. James Johnson, aged 28 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 14
• Benjamin Johnson, who immigrated to Barbados in 1660

• John Harold Johnson (1918-2005), American businessman, publisher, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, the first African American to appear on the Forbes 400, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Frank Minis Johnson Jr. (1918-1999), American Federal judge and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (b. 1964), British politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party (2019-2022)
• Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson (1918-2020), American mathematician, known for her calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019, inspiration for the film Hidden Figures
• President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the United States (1865 to 1869), succeeding to the Presidency upon the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
• Alonzo Al Johnson (1963-2024), American college and professional football player
• Adam Robert Johnson (1994-2023), American professional ice hockey forward, (2017–2023)
• Eddie Bernice Johnson (1935-2023), American politician, Chair of the House Science Committee (2019-2023), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1993-2023)
• Patrick E. Johnson (1939-2023), American martial artist, 9th degree black belt in American Tang Soo Do and was the president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, originally created by Chuck Norris in 1973
• Willard R. Johnson (1935-2023), American political scientist and African studies expert
• ... (Another 180 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arrow Air Flight 1285

• Mr. Ravon Leroy Johnson (1957-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Eaton, North Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
• Mr. Jerrin Andrea Johnson (1964-1985), American Private from Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26

Empress of Ireland

• Mr. James Johnson (d. 1914), British Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
• Mr. Harold Johnson (d. 1914), British Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
• Mrs. Johannah Catherine Johnson (1853-1914), née Jorgensen Swedish Third Class Passenger from Malmö, Sweden who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
• Mr. James Johnson (1850-1914), Swedish Third Class Passenger from Malmö, Sweden who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
• Miss Alida Johnson (d. 1914), Swedish Third Class Passenger from Gothenburg, Sweden who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
• ... (Another 7 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flight TWA 800

• Mr. Leonard James Johnson (1943-1996), from Springfield, Virginia, USA, American mechanical engineer flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; he died in the crash 28
• Mrs. Eleanor Ann Johnson (1946-1996), from Springfield, Virginia, USA, American passenger flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 28

Frank Rock Slide

• Mr. Johnson, Canadian from Calgary brother to Mr. Johnson who was buried in the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 29
• Mr. Johnson, Canadian from Calgary brother to Mr. Johnson who was buried in the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 29
• Mr. Lester Johnson (b. 1889), Canadian resident of Frank, Alberta who survived the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 29

Halifax Explosion

• Miss Christina  Johnson (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 30
• Mr. Edward John  Johnson (1861-1917), Canadian Stock porter at ICR Yards Richmond from Bear Cove, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 30
• Mrs. Eliza Jane  Johnson, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 30
• Mr. Daniel  Johnson (1869-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 30
• Mr. Reuben James  Johnson (1869-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 30
• ... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hillcrest Coal Mine

• Mr. William Johnson (1896-1914), Canadian Pumpman from Massachusetts, United States who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 31
• Mr. Karl Johnson (1881-1914), Swedish Miner from Rytterne, Vastmanlands, Sweden who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 31
• Mr. Fred Johnson (1892-1914), Canadian Miner from Nova Scotia, Canada who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 31

HMAS Sydney II

• Mr. Percy Albert Johnson (1919-1941), Australian Stoker 2nd Class from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 32

HMS Hood

• Mr. William St C Johnson (b. 1910), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 33
• Mr. William F Johnson (b. 1916), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 33
• Mr. Stanley F Johnson (b. 1918), English Leading Writer serving for the Royal Navy from Camberwell, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 33
• Mr. Ralph Johnson (b. 1918), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 33
• Mr. Frederick Johnson (b. 1912), English Leading Cook serving for the Royal Navy from Southport, Lancashire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 33

HMS Prince of Wales

• Mr. William Johnson, British Engine Room Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 34
• Mr. Walter Johnson, British Stoker 2nd Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 34
• Mr. Robert Johnson, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 34
• Mr. Richard J Johnson, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 34
• Mr. Joseph Thomas Johnson, British Boy 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 34
• ... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Repulse

• Mr. James B Johnson, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 35
• Mr. Ernest Johnson (b. 1912), English Stoker 2ne Class from Sunderland, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 35
• Mr. Harry Johnson (b. 1918), English Stoker 1st Class from Wheelock Heath, Cheshire, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 35

HMS Royal Oak

• Thomas Morley Johnson (d. 1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 36
• Frederick William Peter Johnson (d. 1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 36

North Sea Flood

• Margaret Johnson, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

• Beth Ann Johnson (1967-1988), American Student from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 37
• Timothy Baron Johnson (1967-1988), American Student from Neptune, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 37
• Mary Alice Lincoln Johnson (1963-1988), American Student from Wayland, Massachusetts, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 37

RMS Lusitania

• Mr. Herbert K. Johnson, English 3rd Class passenger from England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 38
• Mr. John Johnson, English 3rd Class passenger from England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 38
• Mr. Albert E. Johnson, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 38

RMS Titanic

• Master Harold Theodor Johnson, aged 4, American Third Class passenger from St. Charles, Illinois who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 15 39
• Miss Eleanor Ileen Johnson, aged 1, American Third Class passenger from St. Charles, Illinois who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 15 39
• Mr. Malkolm Joackim Johnson (d. 1912), aged 33, American Third Class passenger from Minneapolis, Minnesota who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 39
• Mr. William Cahoone Johnson Jr. (d. 1912), aged 19, American Third Class passenger from Hawthorne, New Jersey who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 39
• Mr. Alfred Johnson (d. 1912), aged 49, English Third Class passenger from Millwood who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 39
• ... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Atlantic

• A. R. Johnson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
• Mr. Charles Johnson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
• S. Johnson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

St. Francis Dam

• Mr. Elijah Rex Johnson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
• Mr. Roy Johnson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
• Mrs. Leona B. Johnson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

• Mr. Neil F. Johnson, American Coxswain working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 40
• Mr. Donald R. Johnson, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 40
• Mr. Edmund Russell Johnson, American Machinist's Mate First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 40
• Mr. John Russell Johnson, American Radioman Third Class from Massachusetts, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 40
• Mr. Samuel Earle Johnson, American Commander, Medical Corps from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 40
• ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Victoria steamboat disaster

• T. E. Johnson, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Winter Quarters coal mine

• Mr. Christian Johnson (b. 1845), Danish mine worker from Holbaek residing in Salt Lake, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 41
• Mr. John Johnson, Finnish mine worker residing in Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 41
• Mr. John Johnson, American mine worker from Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 41

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