Contents [hide]

Manson History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Manson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Denmark
Norway
Scotland
Sweden

Etymology of Manson

What does the name Manson mean?

The roots of the name Manson come from the Viking settlers of ancient Scotland. The name was derived from the personal name Magnus, which is derived from the Latin word magnus, which means great. This name was popular among the Norsemen and was borrowed in honor of Charlemagne, who was known as Carolus Magnus in Latin. 1 2

Early Origins of the Manson family

The surname Manson was first found in Caithness (Gaelic: Gallaibh), the northern tip of Scotland, and in Shetland. The name has evolved from the name Magnusson, as in "son of Magnus."

"Magnus (Latin, 'great') was a popular name among the Norsemen and was borrowed by them in admiration of Charlemagne (in Latin, Carolus Magnus). "It is worth remembering," says Dr. Alexander Bugge, "that long before the birth of Magnus the Good the name Magnus was used among Norse kings of Man and the Hebrides. The first persons who bear this name are Magnus mac Arailt, a chieftain from the Hebrides, in 972, and Magnus Berna (i. e. Magnus son of Bjorn) from Limerick, who probably was akin to the chieftains from the Hebrides. When Sighvat Skald named the new-born son of St. Olav Magnus after Charlemagne, it was probably not his own invention. He had most likely heard the name in the British Isles, and knew that it was derived from the great Emperor." 3

Over the years, a wide variety of spellings were in use by the family: "Jonas filius Magni was one of those who laid charges againSt David Meyner of Weem in 1427. Angus Mangson in Kirkwall in 1446 appears again in 1455 as Anguss Magniss, bailie of Kyrkwaw. David Manson was tenant of Petconnouchty, Ardmanoch, in 1504, Thomas Mainsoun appears in Dunrossness, Shetland, in 1602, Robert Mansone was burgess of Dornoch, 1669, and John Mansone, 'dene of gild, ' and three other Mansones took the Test in the burgh of Tain in 1685. 3

The Manston, Mainston and Mainstone variants are presumably derived from the same source. Manston is a small parish in Dorset. 4 5 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first recorded as Manestone. 6 Manston can also be found in Kent where it was known as Manneston in 1254. Both places literally mean "farmstead of a man called Mann," from the Old English personal name + "tun." 7

Early History of the Manson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manson research. Another 208 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1490, 1524, 1567, 1568, 1569, 1574, 1582, 1602, 1620, 1625, 1674, 1677, 1726, 1732, 1752, 1765, 1766, 1792, 1825, 1836, 1850, 1860 and 1876 are included under the topic Early Manson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manson Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes most often spelled names by the way they sounded. spelling variations, are thus, very common in records dating from that time. Over the years, Manson has been spelled Manson, Manseon, Mansson, Mainson, Monson, Mansoun, Magnuson and many more.

Early Notables of the Manson family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

David Manson (1726-1792), school-master, son of John Manson and Agnes Jamieson, was probably born in the parish of Cairncastle, co. Antrim, in 1726. His parents being poor, he began life as a farmer's...
George Manson (1850-1876), Scottish artist, son of Magnus Manson, an Edinburgh merchant, was born at Edinburgh on 3 Dec. 1860. After he had left school he spent some months in the workshop of a punch-...

Manson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Manson is the 3,628^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 8 However, in France, the name Manson is ranked the 4,512^nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 9 And in New Zealand, the name Manson is the 403^rd popular surname with an estimated 1,629 people with that name. 10

Manson migration to the United States +

The Scottish settlers spread out along the fertile land of the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. They and many of their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. That heritage has been recovered by many in this century through Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Archival documents indicate that members of the Manson family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Manson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomazin Manson, aged 14, who arrived in New England in 1635 11
Luke Manson, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Peter Manson, who arrived in Maryland in 1661 11
William Manson, who landed in Virginia in 1663 11

Manson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Manson, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1775 11
Thomas Manson, aged 16, who landed in Georgia in 1775 11
Margaret Manson, aged 26, who landed in Georgia in 1775 11
Barbara, Elizabeth and her mother Elizabeth, Janet, Margaret, and Thomas Manson all, who settled in Georgia in 1775
Barbara Manson, aged 23, who arrived in Georgia in 1775 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Manson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 11
Andrew Manson, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1820 11
Jose Manson, aged 18, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1827 11
Daniel Manson, who landed in New York, NY in 1842 11
Louis Manson, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Manson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Manson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. David Manson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. David Manson, Scottish carpenter who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Joseph Manson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairlee" in 1840 14
Joseph Manson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Louisa Baillie" in 1849 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Manson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Magnus Manson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Magnus Manson, aged 51, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Tamer Manson, aged 29, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
James Manson, aged 26, a cooper, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Magnus Manson, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Manson (post 1700) +

Marilyn Manson (b. 1969), stage name of Brian Hugh Warner, American musician, songwriter, actor, painter, multimedia artist
David Manson (b. 1952), American Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning film and television producer, screenwriter and director, known for his work on House of Cards (2013)
David Manson Sr. (1753-1836), American patriot who fought in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, an aide to General George Washington
Pat Manson (b. 1967), retired American pole vaulter, best known for winning three gold medals at the Pan American Games
Kathleen Manson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 2004 (alternate), 2008 16
James A. Manson, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly, 1904, 1933; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 32nd District, 1923, 1928, 1928, 1930, 1932 16
Hiram S. Manson, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Allegan, Michigan, 1871 16
Herbert H. Manson, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Marathon County 2nd District, 1902 16
Harry Manson, American Republican politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 5th District, 1935 16
C. F. Manson (b. 1885), American Republican politician, Elected South Dakota State Senate 26th District 1946, but never took office 16
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Manson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Meae menor originis
Motto Translation: Mindful of my origin.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FAIRLIE/FAIRLEE 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Fairlie.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The LOUISA BAILLIE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849LouisaBaillie.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html