Show ContentsWatson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Watson

What does the name Watson mean?

The ancestors of the surname Watson lived among the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled much of Britain. The name is derived from Wat, a diminutive form of the personal name Walter, with the addition of the patronymic suffix " -son," or patronymic prefix "Mac-." The name Walter derives ultimately from an Old German name, which meant "mighty army." It was introduced into England and Scotland during the reign of Edward the Confessor and became one of the most popular personal names of the times.

Early Origins of the Watson family

The surname Watson was first found in the lowlands of Scotland, where the earliest record is of John Watson, who held land in Edinburgh in 1392.

Early History of the Watson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Watson research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1402, 1446, 1450, 1493, 1494, 1593, 1602, 1612, 1630, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Watson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wattson, Watsone, Watsoun, Walterson, MacWattie, MacQuattie, MacWatty, MacWhatty and many more.

Early Notables of the Watson family

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

Watson World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Watson is the 35th most popular surname with an estimated 96,302 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Watson is ranked the 40th most popular surname with an estimated 44,799 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Watson is the 27th popular surname with an estimated 5,777 people with that name. 3 Canada ranks Watson as 81st with 31,068 people. 4 The United States ranks Watson as 72nd with 256,161 people. 5 South Africa ranks Watson as 783rd with 8,812 people. 6

Migration of the Watson family to Ireland

Some of the Watson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watson 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
  • Miss Elizabeth Watson, (Davis), (b. 1758), aged 30, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 7
  • Mr. William Watson, (d. 1790), 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, may have died on the ship 8
  • Mr. John Watson, (b. 1766), aged 23, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
  • Miss Eleanor Watson, (1760 - 1828), British settler convicted in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Henry Watson, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Henry Watson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. George Watson, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Derbyshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. John Watson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Richard Watson, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for petty larceny, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Watson, (b. 1768), aged 19, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 20th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 8
  • Mr. Robert Watson, 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:

Watson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Watson 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:

Watson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Captain Watson, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 12
  • Mr. Watson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harrington" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 15th June 1841 12
  • T. H. Watson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Harrington" in 1841 13
  • Louisa Watson, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 14
  • R Watson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Watson 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. 15
Watson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Nicholas Watson, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 16
  • Mr. Christopher Watson, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 17
  • Mr. Abram Watson, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 17
  • Mr. Thomas Watson, (b. 1606), aged 29, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 17

Watson migration to Canada +

Watson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Watson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Brooks Watson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Francis Watson, aged 18, who landed in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775
  • Mr. Alexander Watson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 18
  • Mr. John Watson U.E. (b. 1747) born in New York, USA who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1846 18
Watson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Watson, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • James Watson, aged 3, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • Rick Watson, aged 2, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • James Watson, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ranger" in 1834
  • John Watson, aged 17, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ranger" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Watson migration to the United States +



Watson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Watson who settled in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "William and Thomas"
  • James Watson, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 19
  • Mr. John Watson, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Swan" 19
  • George Watson, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1631 20
  • Mr. John Watson, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Watson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anna Watson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 20
  • Charles Watson, who landed in New England in 1711 20
  • George Watson, who settled in Georgia in 1775 with his wife and four children
  • Andrew Watson, aged 21, who arrived in Georgia in 1775 20
  • Ann Watson, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1776 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Watson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Watson, aged 35, who landed in North Carolina in 1812 20
  • Mrs. Jeannette Watson, aged 29, Scottish settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Isaac Newton" on 2nd December 1840
  • Mr. Thomas Watson, aged 37, Scottish merchant who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Isaac Newton" on 2nd December 1840
  • Miss Jane Watson, aged 19, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Rochester" on 20th May 1841
  • Mr. William Watson, aged 21, British moulder who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Rochester" on 20th May 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Watson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Ann Watson, aged 33, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. William Watson, aged 37, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. William Watson, aged 11, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Barbara Watson, aged 5, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Francis Watson, Infant, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Watson (post 1700) +

  • Thomas John Watson Jr. (1914-1993), President of IBM from 1952-1971 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • John Christian Watson (1867-1941), Australian politician, third Prime Minister of Australia in 1904
  • Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson (b. 1990), English actress and model, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series
  • William Smellie Watson (1796-1874), Scottish artist, known for his portraits
  • Matthew McLuckie "Matt" Watson (1936-2015), Scottish footballer
  • Lord William Watson (1827-1899), Scottish judge
  • John Odin Wentworth Watson AM (1937-2025), Australian politician, Liberal member of the Australian Senate (1978- 2008), representing the state of Tasmania
  • Rachael Elizabeth Watson OAM (b. 1992), Australian Paralympic swimmer, three-time Paralympian
  • Patty Jo Watson (1932-2024), American archaeologist noted for her work on Pre-Columbian Native Americans, especially in the Mammoth Cave region of Kentucky
  • ... (Another 49 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mrs. Isobel Watson (1914-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Mt. Albert, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 21
  • Miss Katerine Watson (1915-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Wellington, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 22
  • Mrs. Eliza Edith Watson (1871-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
  • Ms. Jill Victoria Watson (1964-1996), from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, American architect 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 23
  • Miss. Jacqueline Alexis Watson (1978-1996), from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA, American student from Montoursville 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 24
  • ... (Another 41 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Watson +

  • The American Family of John Watson of the Narragansett County, Rhode Island by George C. Davis.
  • Ancestors and Descendants of John and Hannah (Goodwin) Watson of Hartford, Connecticut and Associated Families by Ralph Arthur Watson.
  • Genealogy and History of the Watson Family by Samuel E. Watson.
  1. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  10. 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
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  12. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  16. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  17. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  18. 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
  19. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. 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)
  21. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  23. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm

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