Surname Dixon - Meaning and Origin
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A Riveting Journey of Discovery: Unraveling the Roots of the Dixon Surname Through iGENEA DNA Analysis
From the moment my iGENEA DNA analysis results arrived, I was ushered into an astonishing journey of ancestral discovery. There was an undeniable sense of awe as I gained insights into the roots of my family name Dixon, tracing back to Viking lineage and Scottish lowlands.
E. Dixon
read moreDixon: What does the surname Dixon mean?
The last name Dixon is a possible variant of the Scottish name Dick, which comes from a short form of the given name Richard. Therefore, Dixon is an Anglicized version of an originally Scottish name.
The name Richard is of Old German origin and is derived from the words “ric” and “hard”. Richard literally translates to “ruler of strength or powerful leader”, often referencing a person of great power and control. This could be seen as an indication of leadership within a family, clan or even a community.
The name Dixon itself is quite an old and common name, with the earliest records of it being found in northern England in the 11th Century. As an occupational name, the term “dick” was used to describe someone who controlled or managed estate lands, while “sone” simply translates to son. Thus, Dixon may have been an occupational name given to someone who acted as an overseer or property manager.
The Dixon surname can be found all across the world, but is most commonly associated with the English-speaking countries of Canada, the USA, Ireland and the UK. Given its meaning and origin, the Dixon surname likely meant dedication and control within both the family and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisDixon: Where does the name Dixon come from?
The surname Dixon is widespread across the English-speaking world. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in England. According to statistical analysis of surnames in the UK, Dixon is the 101st most common surname in the country. It is especially prevalent in the northern regions of England, particularly in the North West, North East and Yorkshire.
Other countries where Dixon is commonly found include the United States, Ireland, Canada and Australia. In the US, the name is particularly common across the South, with the highest concentration in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana. Similarly, in Australia the Dixon surname is most prevalent in New South Wales and Victoria.
Dixon is also found to a lesser extent in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Beyond these countries, the name is also common in many other English-speaking nations such as New Zealand and South Africa. It is also found in countries across mainland Europe, such as Germany, France and Spain, and can be traced back to families with British roots.
Variations of the surname Dixon
The Dixon surname has various variants, spellings and related surnames that evolved from the same origins and meaning. The most similar variant of the surname is Dickson which is derived from the same Gaelic word. Dixon is an anglicised version of the Gaelic patronymic which is commonly found in Britain, Ireland, and North America. The spelling Dixson are also widely used, particularly in America.
Other variants of the name includeDix, Dixe, Dixie, Dyckson, Dychsonn, Dyckman, Dyckmann, and Dyskine, or variants with the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac', meaning 'son of'.
Related surnames to Dixon are Macdunn, Macdiden, MacDuff, McDwick, McDovvall, McDFootball, McKinnon, Quantrell, Dutton, Dixon-Scott, Strachan, and Atcheson, all of which evolved from a distinct version of the name. Another related surname is Davidson, which is derived from the patronymic “David’s son".
Dixon is an Anglo-Saxon name predominantly found in Britain and Ireland. It is also common in countries with small populations like South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, countries with previous British colonization. These names have evolved to suit new countries and cultures, but are intrinsically related to one another.
Famous people with the name Dixon
- Thomas Dixon: American playwright
- Rob Dixon: American saxophonist and composer
- Lloyd Dixon: American economist
- Barry Dixon: American interior designer
- Matty Dixon: Irish footballer
- Duncan Dixon: Canadian skier
- Harry Dixon: English footballer
- Bill Dixon: American jazz trumpeter and composer
- Vaughan Dixon: New Zealand premises design, managemen and building services engineer
- Mary Dixon: Canadian actress
- Shameik Moore: American actor and musician
- Hayden Panettiere: American actress, singer and model
- Jim Dixon: British politician
- Colin Dixon: British politician
- Derek Dixon: British race car driver
- Bill Dixon: British inventor and engineer
- Kenneth Dixon: American football running back
- Logan Browning: American actress
- Wayne Dixon: American boxer
- Josh Dixon: American gymnast