Show ContentsManson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origin of the distinguished Manson family can be traced to the historic Scandinavian country of Sweden. The surname Manson is derived from the Scandianavian personal name Magnús. This name was borne by several kings of Norway, the first of whom was Magnus the Good (1024-1047). He was named after Charlemagne, whose name was rendered Carolus Magnus in Latin. The popularity of this name in Norway was increased by the exploits of Earl Magnus Erlendsson of Orkney, who was treacherously executed by his cousin in 1117 and became known as St. Magnus. From Norway, the name spread into the royal houses of eastern Scandinavia, and it subsequently became popular throughout that region. The suffix -sson and its variants are translatable as son of.

Manson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Manson is the 3,628th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Manson is ranked the 4,512nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Manson is the 403rd popular surname with an estimated 1,629 people with that name. 3


United States Manson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Manson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomazin Manson, aged 14, who arrived in New England in 1635 4
  • Luke Manson, who settled in Virginia in 1654
  • Peter Manson, who arrived in Maryland in 1661 4
  • William Manson, who landed in Virginia in 1663 4
Manson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Manson, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1775 4
  • Thomas Manson, aged 16, who landed in Georgia in 1775 4
  • Margaret Manson, aged 26, who landed in Georgia in 1775 4
  • Barbara, Elizabeth and her mother Elizabeth, Janet, Margaret, and Thomas Manson all, who settled in Georgia in 1775
  • Barbara Manson, aged 23, who arrived in Georgia in 1775 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Manson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Manson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 4
  • Andrew Manson, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1820 4
  • Jose Manson, aged 18, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1827 4
  • Daniel Manson, who landed in New York, NY in 1842 4
  • Louis Manson, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Manson migration to Australia +

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

Manson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Manson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
  • Mr. David Manson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
  • Mr. David Manson, Scottish carpenter who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
  • Joseph Manson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairlee" in 1840 7
  • Joseph Manson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Louisa Baillie" in 1849 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Manson 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:

Manson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Magnus Manson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Magnus Manson, aged 51, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Tamer Manson, aged 29, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • James Manson, aged 26, a cooper, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Magnus Manson, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Manson (post 1700) +

  • Marilyn Manson (b. 1969), stage name of Brian Hugh Warner, American musician, songwriter, actor, painter, multimedia artist
  • David Manson (b. 1952), American Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning film and television producer, screenwriter and director, known for his work on House of Cards (2013)
  • David Manson Sr. (1753-1836), American patriot who fought in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, an aide to General George Washington
  • Pat Manson (b. 1967), retired American pole vaulter, best known for winning three gold medals at the Pan American Games
  • Kathleen Manson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 2004 (alternate), 2008 9
  • James A. Manson, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly, 1904, 1933; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 32nd District, 1923, 1928, 1928, 1930, 1932 9
  • Hiram S. Manson, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Allegan, Michigan, 1871 9
  • Herbert H. Manson, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Marathon County 2nd District, 1902 9
  • Harry Manson, American Republican politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 5th District, 1935 9
  • C. F. Manson (b. 1885), American Republican politician, Elected South Dakota State Senate 26th District 1946, but never took office 9
  • ... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. 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)
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  6. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
  7. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FAIRLIE/FAIRLEE 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Fairlie.htm
  8. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The LOUISA BAILLIE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849LouisaBaillie.htm
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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