Show ContentsWilson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The saga of the name Wilson begins among the Viking settlers who arrived in Scotland in the medieval era. The name Wilson is derived from the personal name William. The name literally was derived from the patronymic expression son of William or son of Wil. 1

"The family are said to be descended from a Prince of Denmark, and were established at a very remote period in the Orkney islands, intermarrying with the clans of Monro, and others. After a long continuance in the north, alliances taking place with some of the principal Lowland families, the Wilsons moved southward. " 2

Early Origins of the Wilson family

The surname Wilson was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where John Wulson was a merchant in the service of Sir John of Montgomery in 1405. Michael Wilsoun was Burgess of Irvine in 1418, and John Wilson was Burgess of Berwick in 1467. 1

Early History of the Wilson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilson research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1567, 1603, 1662, 1667, 1680, 1685, 1704, 1750 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wilson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilson Spelling Variations

Contemporary spellings of ancient Scottish names often bear little resemblance to the original recorded versions. These spelling variations result from the fact that medieval scribes spelled words and names alike according to their sounds. Wilson has been spelled Wilson, Willson, Wilsone, Wulson, Wilsoun and others.

Early Notables of the Wilson family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

  • Margaret Wilson (died 1685), one of the Wigton martyrs, a young Scottish Covenanter from Wigtownshire executed by drowning for refusing to swear an oath declaring James VII; and John Willison (1680-17...
  • Margaret Wilson (1667-1685), the 'martyr of the Solway,' and the eldest daughter of Gilbert Wilson (d. 1704), a yeoman of Penninghame, Wigtownshire, was born at Glenvernock in that parish in 1667. " T...

Wilson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Wilson is the 8th most popular surname with an estimated 843,093 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Wilson is ranked the 8th most popular surname with an estimated 82,768 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Wilson is the 554th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Wilson as 689th with 63 people. 6 Australia ranks Wilson as 5th with 92,731 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Wilson as 6th with 8,044 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Wilson as 6th with 200,236 people. 9 South Africa ranks Wilson as 314th with 21,443 people. 10

Migration of the Wilson family to Ireland

Some of the Wilson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Wilson migration to the United States +

The colonies on the fertile east coast of North America soon had many farms run by Scots. These hardy settlers provided a backbone for the great nations of the United States and Canada that would emerge in the next centuries. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Scottish name Wilson or a variant listed above, including:

Wilson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Henrie Wilson, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Sampson" 11
  • Mr. Thomas Wilson, (b. 1593), aged 27, British servant who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Abigaile" 12
  • Mr. Henery Wilson, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Truelove", died by 1624 11
  • Clement Wilson, who landed in Virginia in 1622 13
  • John Wilson, who settled in Virginia in 1623
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wilson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Cornelius Wilson, who landed in Virginia in 1712 13
  • David Wilson, who settled in Virginia in 1719
  • Anne Wilson, a bonded passenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1724
  • Alexander Wilson, a Scotch-Irish settled in Boston sometime between 1730 and 1736
  • Elizabeth Wilson, who landed in Augusta County, Va in 1740 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wilson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Wilson, who arrived in New York from Londonderry in 1803 aboard the "Independence"
  • Joseph Wilson of Belfast, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1803, aboard the "Snow George"
  • Eleanor Wilson, aged 36, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 13
  • James Wilson, who arrived in New York in 1806 aboard the "Augusta" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Brown Wilson, who landed in Ohio in 1807 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wilson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Thos Wilson, aged 59, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. William Wilson, aged 15, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Wilson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wilson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Richard Wilson, who settled in St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, in 1703 14
  • Henry Wilson, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Ann Wilson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Barbara Wilson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Mr. Dyann Wilson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 536 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wilson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Wilson, who emigrated from Yorkshire to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1813 14
  • John Wilson, who emigrated from Yorkshire to in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1813 14
  • George Wilson, aged 56, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • Isobel Wilson, aged 43, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • James Wilson, aged 15, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson migration to Australia +

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

Wilson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Wilson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Wilson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Alexander Wilson, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Miss Rebecca Wilson, British Convict who was convicted in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Thomas Wilson, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Miss Ann Wilson, (Sarah), Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Miss Bridget Wilson, (Mary Ann, Jackson), English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilson 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:

Wilson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J A Wilson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1832
  • Thomas Wilson, who landed in Cloudy Bay, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Bee
  • Mr Wilson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Nimrod
  • Archibald Wilson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Charles James Wilson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wilson Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Robert Wilson, aged 23, a miner, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
  • Harold Wilson, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Wilson 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. 21
Wilson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Richard Wilson, who arrived in Barbados with his wife and two children and servants in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilson (post 1700) +

  • Edmund Wilson (1895-1972), American literary critic and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Ted Lewis Wilson (1939-2024), American politician, 30th Mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976 until July 1985
  • Wayne MacArthur Wilson (1957-2024), American professional football player who was a running back for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL)
  • Edwin Graves Wilson (1923-2024), American academic and professor of English literature at Wake Forest University
  • Russell Carrington Wilson (b. 1988), American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL), formerly played for the Seattle Seahawks for 10 seasons
  • Welcome Wade Wilson Sr. (1928-2024), American chairman of the Welcome Group real estate development
  • Jean Sprain Wilson, American producer and writer, known for I Want It All Now (1978) and NBC White Paper (1960)
  • Edwin Wilson (1927-2023), American theater critic who worked for The Wall Street Journal from 1972 to 1994
  • Ben Ivery Wilson (1939-2023), American professional NFL football fullback
  • George Wilson (1942-2023), American professional basketball player from Meridian, Mississippi
  • ... (Another 147 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Rodger L Wilson (1966-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Dayton, Ohio, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. F. Wilson (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. J. Wilson, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 23
  • Mr. John Wilson (d. 1914), British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
  • Captain George H. Wilson (1885-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 23
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. Marion Wilson (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
  • Mr. R. C. Wilson (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
  • Mr. Ernest Wilson (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Robert  Wilson (1859-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
  • Mrs. Mary Ellen  Wilson (1862-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 25
  • Mr. Francis Alexander  Wilson (1873-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
  • Mrs. Mabel  Wilson (1889-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
  • Mrs. Marion M  Wilson (1896-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 25
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hillcrest Coal Mine
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Roderick Richard Wilson (1919-1941), Australian Sick Berth Attendant from Burra, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. Clifford Wilson (1918-1941), Australian Telegraphist from Dungog, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. Allan Robert Wallace Wilson (1910-1941), Australian Engineer Lieutenant from Haverfield, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. Roy Weeden Dawes Wilson (1918-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Genmorne, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. Jack Stanley Wilson (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Parkside, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
HMS Cornwall
  • Gerald William Leslie Wilson (d. 1942), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
  • James Wilson (d. 1942), British Leading Stoker aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
  • Alexander Frank Wilson (d. 1942), British Petty Officer aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Ross Franklin Wilson, British Lieutenant aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 29
  • Roland Wilson (d. 1945), British Marine aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 29
  • David Wilson (d. 1945), British Lieutenant Engineer aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 29
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Walter Wilson (b. 1920), Scottish Signalman serving for the Royal Navy from Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
  • Mr. John V Wilson (b. 1916), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Benwell, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
  • Mr. Herbert G Wilson (b. 1905), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
  • Mr. Gordon A C Wilson (b. 1920), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Kilburn, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
  • Mr. George Wilson (b. 1907), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Hull, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Joseph E Wilson, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
  • Mr. James Cairns Wilson, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
  • Mr. Jack Wilson, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
  • Mr. George Wilson, British Gunner, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
  • Mr. George Herbert Wilson (b. 1924), English Ordinary Seaman from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. D Wilson, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 32
  • Mr. Stanley Wilson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 32
  • Mr. William Thomas Wilson, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 32
  • Mr. Douglas Henry Wilson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 32
  • Mr. Jack Robert Thomas Wilson, British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 32
HMS Royal Oak
  • Ronald E. Wilson, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 33
  • Cyril J. Wilson, British Chief Engine Room Artificer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 33
  • Stephen Richard Mercer Wilson (d. 1939), British Midshipman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 33
  • Ronald Victor Wilson (1919-1939), 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 33
  • Robert Wilson (1919-1939), 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 33
  • ... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ibrox disaster
  • George Wilson (1956-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Renfrewshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 34
Lady of the Lake
  • Miss Elizabeth Wilson, Scottish traveller from Newton Stewart, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
  • Mr. Andrew Wilson (b. 1823), Scottish labourer from Newton Stewart, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
  • Mr. Robert Wilson (b. 1821), Scottish labourer from Newton Stewart, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
  • Mr. John Wilson (b. 1818), Scottish labourer from Newton Stewart, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
  • Mr. James Wilson (b. 1815), Scottish labourer from Newton Stewart, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
North Sea Flood
  • J. T. Wilson, British worker aboard the trawler "Michael Griffith" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
  • George A. Wilson, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. James R. Wilson, English First Waiter from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 35
  • Mrs. Emily Wilson, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 36
  • Miss Dorothy Wilson, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 36
  • Master Frank Wilson, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 36
  • Mr. John Wilson, English 2nd Class passenger residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping on life boat 14 it is believed 36
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Bertie Wilson, aged 28, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 15 37
  • Miss Helen Alice Wilson, aged 31, American First Class passenger from Tuxedo Park, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 3 37
SS Atlantic
  • Thomas Wilson, crew member who was aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
  • Thos Wilson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
  • W. H. Wilson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
SS Caribou
  • Mr. William Bruce Wilson (b. 1923), British passenger who was Royal Air Force from Toronto, Ontario was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking
St. Francis Dam
  • Mr. Earl Wayne Wilson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mr. Charles Wilson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mr. Isam Wilson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Triangle Waist Company
  • Mr. Joseph Wilson (b. 1889), Russian Jewish garment worker who was working at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; he died in the fire 38
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Harold G. Wilson Jr., American Fireman Second 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 39
  • Mr. Charles L. Wilson, 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 39
  • Mr. John James Wilson, American Seaman 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 39
  • Mr. Neil Mataweny Wilson, American Chief Warrant Officer (Machinist) 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 39
  • Mr. Ray Milo Wilson, American Radioman Third Class from Iowa, 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 39
  • ... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
USS Indianapolis
  • Frank Wilson, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 40
  • Thomas Beverly Wilson, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 40
Vimy Ridge
  • Walter Harvey Wilson (1893-1918), Canadian teamster, Corporal in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge August 1918
  • William Langyl McLean Wilson (1885-1917), Canadian plasterer, Corporal in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge February 1917
Winter Quarters coal mine
  • Mr. Alexander Ferguson Wilson Jr. (b. 1877), Scottish mine worker from Ayr, Scotland 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. George Wilson (b. 1874), English mine worker from Derby 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. Henry Harrison Wilson (b. 1858), American mine worker from Scottsdale, Pennsylvania 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. James L. Wilson (b. 1886), American mine worker from Summit, 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. Alexander Wilson Sr., "Sandy", Scottish mine worker from Ayr, Scotland 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
  • ... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Wilson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vincit qui se vincit
Motto Translation: He conquers, who conquers himself.


Suggested Readings for the name Wilson +

  • A Brief Account of the Wilsons by Emery Small Wilson.
  • The DeMay Family and the Wilson Family by Ida DeMay Wilson.
  • The Family of Samuel & Jean Love Wilson by Sara Stewart Hinckley.

  1. 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)
  2. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. 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)
  14. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  15. 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
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  18. 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
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  23. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  24. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
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