Johnston (surname)

Last updated
Johnston
Language(s) Middle English
Origin
Meaning1. "John's town"
2. "St John's town"
Other names
Variant form(s) Johnstone

The surname Johnston is of English and Scottish origin.

Contents

Historically, the Johnston has roots tracing back to medieval Northern England where it appeared as both a locational and occupational surname. Families with this name were often found in Yorkshire and Northumberland.

The name gained prominence due to the notable Johnstons residing near the River Tweed, who had a significant role during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The name emerged at the same time as the Anglo-Scottish border was being drawn and is why it is so closely associated with the border region.

Over time, the Johnston surname has evolved, leading to the establishment of notable lineages, including connections to the Scottish clan— Clan Johnstone. In modern times, Johnston remains largely in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and Canada [1] .

Etymology

This surname is derived from the genitive case of the given name John and tone or toun ("settlement" in Middle English, literally meaning "John's town". [2] [3] Johnston is derived from the given name John combined with the suffix -ton, which means town or settlement. Thus, Johnston essentially means John's town or settlement of John. This naming convention was common in England, where surnames often reflected geographical origins or notable features of a location. As such, Johnston signifies a link to a place associated with an individual named John, highlighting the historical practice of naming settlements after prominent figures within a community.

People with the surname Johnston

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See also

Individual people

References

  1. ↑ "Origin and Meaning of First Name Johnston | Search Family History on Ancestry®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  2. ↑ "Johnston Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  3. ↑ "Johnstone Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com . Retrieved 11 May 2009.
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