Surname Dotson - Meaning and Origin
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Walking the journey with iGENEA was a voyage into my past, unveiling not just my Celtic roots but also the profound meaning and sense of belonging hidden behind my surname 'Dotson.' It was an emotional rollercoaster, filled with anticipation, revelations, connections, and a newfound pride in my family history and identity.
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read moreDotson: What does the surname Dotson mean?
Dotson is an English surname of patronymic origin. It is derived from the medieval given name "Dodde or Dudde" which was a pet form of the personal name Rognvaldr, meaning "mighty strength". Hence, the suffix "son" implies 'son of Dodde or Dudde'. Such names often indicated a familial or paternal relationship. These names became hereditary around the 14th century and common amongst English-speaking cultures. It is important to note that the spelling of surnames has changed over time due to factors like migration, illiteracy, and phonetic variations. Therefore, Dotson can have different variants like Dodson, Dottson, and others. Today, Dotson is a fairly common surname in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisDotson: Where does the name Dotson come from?
The surname Dotson is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name "Dod(d)," a pet form of "Roger." The suffix "-son" suggests "son of Dod," hence Dotson. This name was prevalent among the English, specifically in regions such as Lancashire and Yorkshire during medieval times.
Today, the name Dotson is common in the United States, particularly in the states of Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and California. It is also found, to a lesser extent, in England and Canada. As of the 2000 U.S. census, Dotson was the 752nd most common surname, demonstrating that while it is not rare, it is also not overly common. Its largest concentration remains in English-speaking countries, but like many surnames, it can be found in small numbers across the globe due to migration.
Variations of the surname Dotson
The surname Dotson originates from the personal name Dodde or Dudda, an old English personal name of uncertain meaning. Variants of the surname Dotson include Dotson, Dottson, Dotsen, Dodson, Dudson, Doddson, Duddson and Dodsane. It is likely that Americanized forms of like-sounding Jewish surnames also exist.
Different branches of a family with this origin may have spelt the surname differently over time, often due to phonetic transcriptions, literacy levels, and regional accents. Other factors including immigration and language barriers may have contributed to the variation of this surname.
The most common variation of Dotson is Dodson, which has been used interchangeably across different branches of the family throughout history. Other surnames of the same origin include Dodd, Dudd, Dode, Dodde which have different suffixes like -son (meaning 'son of'). These surnames imply a patronymic relationship indicating a familial patriarch with the original name. Over time, the surnames have evolved due to a variety of factors, but they all hold a connection to the original Dotson name.
Famous people with the name Dotson
- Tanya Kay Dotson: American actress.
- Antonio Dotson: Professional football player.
- Richard Dotson: A former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Ken Dotson: NFL player for the Chicago Bears.
- Jake Dotson: Actor best known for his roles in Vanishing Point (1971), Santee (1973) and The Streets of San Francisco (1972).
- Courtney Alexis Dotson: Beauty and fashion influencer turned reality TV star.
- Lois Jean Dotson: Wife of famous politician Bill Dotson.
- Reggie Dotson: Pastor and published author.
- Lillian Dotson: Actress known for The Night Caller (1998), Auto Recovery (2008), and The Shield (2002).
- Famous TV personality and author of multiple books, Tanya Tucker Dotson.
- Dede Trotter Dotson: An American track athlete who is a three-time Olympian and Olympic games bronze medalist.