Show ContentsCharleson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Charleson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Charleson

What does the name Charleson mean?

The distinguished name Charleson comes ultimately from the Germanic personal name Carl, which was Latinized as 'Carolus'. Early forms of the name in Britain predate the Norman invasion, but some bearers of this name no doubt come from Norman stock. The suffix 'son' or 'ston' indicate a patronymic surname created from the name of a father or male relative. In Europe the name's popularity was in no small part due to the fame of Emperor Charlemagne (742-814) or 'Carolus Magnus' in Latin.

Early Origins of the Charleson family

The surname Charleson was first found in Suffolk where the first record of the name was listed in 1208 when Carolus held estates in that shire. 1

While many of the family were English, in Scotland the name was numerous in Caithness. "Aychin Carlichsoun was witness to an obligation by the earl of Ross in 1439, and in 1494 there is recorded the obit. 'Duncan Charlissoun apud Lochdochord'. The 1439 form has been influenced by the Gaelic form of the name Charles. " 2

There are numerous places named Charleston or Charlestown worldwide, many of which were in honour of King Charles II (1630-1685.)

Early History of the Charleson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Charleson research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1253 and 1550 are included under the topic Early Charleson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charleson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Charleson have been found, including Charleston, Charleson, Charlson, Cherlson, Churlson and many more.

Early Notables of the Charleson family

More information is included under the topic Early Charleson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charleson migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Charleson, or a variant listed above:

Charleson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Charleson, who is on record in Kansas in 1872

Charleson 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:

Charleson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Charleson, (b. 1819), aged 54, Scottish fisherman travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 3
  • Mrs. Margaret Charleson, (b. 1822), aged 51, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 3
  • Miss Mary Charleson, (b. 1855), aged 18, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 3
  • Mr. James Charleson, (b. 1860), aged 13, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 3
  • Mr. Alexander Charleson, (b. 1864), aged 9, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Charleson (post 1700) +

  • Ian Charleson (1949-1990), Scottish stage and film actor, best known for his starring role as Eric Liddell in the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire, the annual Ian Charleson Awards were established in 1991 in his honour
  • Leslie Charleson (1945-2025), American actress born in Kansas City, Missouri, best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital
  • Mary Charleson (1890-1961), Irish silent film actress who starred in more than 80 films in the U.S. between 1912 and 1920
  • Bill Charleson (1929-1983), Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League in 1948
  • Ian Charleson Hedge (1928-2022), Scottish botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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)
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html

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