Atkinson (surname)

The surname Atkinson is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of a male ancestor. It originates from the medieval English given name "Atkin," which is a diminutive of "Adam." The addition of "-son" signifies "son of." Therefore, Atkinson literally translates to "son of Atkin" or "son of little Adam."

The name Adam itself is of Hebrew origin, meaning "man" or "earth." The popularity of Adam in medieval Europe, due to its biblical associations, led to the creation of diminutive forms like Atkin, and subsequently, surnames like Atkinson.

The surname is commonly found in England, particularly in the northern counties, and later spread to other English-speaking countries such as Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia due to migration.

Variations of the name can include Atkenson, Aickinson, and possibly others depending on regional dialects and spelling evolution.