Meaning of the Name Johnston

Choosing a name for your child is an important decision. The name you choose will be with them for the rest of their life and will shape their identity. One name that has a rich history and meaning is Johnston. In this article, we will explore the origin and popularity of the name, as well as famous people who bear the name.

The name Johnston is of Scottish origin and is derived from the place name John's Town. It was a common practice in medieval times to name a town after the person who founded it, and in this case, the town was founded by someone named John. Over time, the name John's Town was shortened to Johnston.

The name Johnston means 'son of John'. It is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from the father's name. In this case, the father's name is John. The name John is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means 'God is gracious'.

The name Johnston is not as popular as some other names, but it is still a well-known name. According to the Social Security Administration, Johnston was the 1,936th most popular name for boys in 2020. It has been steadily decreasing in popularity over the years, but it still has a strong presence in Scotland and other parts of the world.

There have been many famous people throughout history who bear the name Johnston. Some of these include: 1. Samuel Johnston - an American lawyer and politician who served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789. 2. Albert Sidney Johnston - an American soldier who served as a general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. 3. Joe Johnston - an American film director and producer who is best known for his work on the television series 'Breaking Bad'. 4. Tom Johnston - an American musician who is best known as a founding member of the band The Doobie Brothers. 5. Jennifer Johnston - an Irish novelist and playwright who has won numerous awards for her work.

There are several variations of the name Johnston, including: 1. Johnson - this is the most common variation of the name and is derived from the same place name as Johnston. 2. Johnstone - this variation is more common in Scotland and is also derived from the place name John's Town. 3. Jonson - this variation is less common but is still used in some parts of the world.

In conclusion, the name Johnston has a rich history and meaning. It is a patronymic name that is derived from the father's name, John. The name means 'son of John' and is of Scottish origin. While it may not be as popular as some other names, it still has a strong presence in Scotland and other parts of the world. There have been many famous people throughout history who bear the name Johnston, and there are several variations of the name as well.