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In ancient Scotland, the first people to use the name Willamson were part of a tribe known as the Strathclyde Britons. The name is derived from the Norman personal name William. The name literally was derived from the patronymic expression son of William.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willamson research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1634, 1702, 1706, 1730, 1747, 1754, 1757, 1758, 1762, 1765, 1799 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Willamson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of spelling variations in Scottish names. Willamson has been spelled Williamson, Wiliamson, Williamsone and others.
Notable amongst the family at this time was David Williamson, (c. 1634-1706) a Scottish minister and Covenanter who served as moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1702. He is notable for his long association with Edinburgh's West Kirk, his seven marriages, and his portrayal in the traditional song "Dainty Davie". He is said to have buried six wives and the seventh buried him. During his time as an outlaw, he escaped capture many times, most notably by hiding in bed with Jean Kerr of Cherrytrees, who became the third of his seven wives.
Peter Williamson (1730-1799)...
Another 287 words (20 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willamson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them: Michael Williamson, who settled in Massachusetts in 1631; James Williamson, who settled in Virginia in 1654 along with Isaac, Richard, Alice, and Ann.