Carson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Carson

What does the name Carson mean?

The name Carson was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Carson family lived in Dumfriesshire, where the first mention of the family was of Morris Acarson, Bailiff of the Isle of Man, appointed by King Alexander I of Scotland about 1100 A.D. This is the same person as Mauritius Okarefair. 1

The family "was provosts of Dumfries for several generations and were also prominent in local affairs of Kirkcudbrightshire. No value need be attached to the tradition of descent from an Italian named Corsini reputed to have been brought to Scotland by Dervorgilla to superintend the building of Sweetheart Abbey. Everything points to native origin. " 1

Early Origins of the Carson family

The surname Carson was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they are believed to be descended from the Irish Clan MacCarrghama of the Hy Fiachra and arrived on the south west Scottish coast about the 9th century.

Sir Robert de Acarson (or de Carsan), a cleric witnessed a charter of Holm Cultram in 1276 and it may be the same Robert de Carsan who rendered homage to Edward I in 1296. 1

"Laughlan, son of Laughlan de Carsan and Dovenald, son of Thomas de Carsan were among some Galloway hostages lodged in Carlisle. In 1305 John Acarson and others took the castle of Dumfries from its garrison. Morice Acrassane and Gilbert were jurors on an inquisition at Drumfrese, 1367." 1

Early History of the Carson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carson research. Another 270 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1296, 1305, 1373, 1374, 1377, 1394, 1445, 1453, 1503, 1531, 1665, 1772, 1776, 1780, 1799, 1808, 1843, 1844, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carson Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Carson has appeared as Carson, Carsen and others.

Early Notables of the Carson family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Aglionby Ross Carson (1780-1850), Scottish classical scholar and rector of the high school of Edinburgh, was born at Holywood, Dumfriesshire
Alexander Carson (1776-1844), was an Irish Baptist minister, born near Stewartstown, co. Tyrone, in 1776. His parents were Scottish Calvinistic Presbyterians, settled in Ireland, who consecrated their...
James Carson (1772-1843), was a Scottish physician who was originally educated for the ministry, but his inclination leading him to the study of physic, he attended medical classes at Edinburgh, and g...

Carson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Carson is the 472^nd most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Carson is ranked the 637^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,166 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Carson is the 719^th popular surname with an estimated 5,432 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Carson as 399^th with 1,641 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Carson as 780^th with 8,682 people. 6

Migration of the Carson family to Ireland

Some of the Carson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 129 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carson migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

Carson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Charles Carson, who arrived in Maryland in 1676 7

Carson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Da Carson, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 7
Elizabeth Carson, age 12 who was recorded in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1767
Hugh Carson, age 40 who settled in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1767
James Carson who arrived in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767 with his wife Jane, son John, and daughters Margaret and Mary
Ann Carson, who was recorded in Philadelphia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Samuel Carson, aged 36, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1803 7
James Carson, who arrived in America in 1805 7
George Carson, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 7
John M Carson, aged 26, who landed in New York in 1812 7
Johnson Carson, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Sgt. William Carson U.E. (b. 1743) born in Ireland who settled in Prince Edward County, Ontario c. 1783 he enlisted in 1768 served in the 29th Regiment of Foot Soldiers, married twice with 2 children he died in 1829 in Marysburgh, Prince Edward County 8

Carson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Carson, who landed in Canada in 1812
Jac, Carson, aged 30, who arrived in Canada in 1812
William Carson, aged 30, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
John Carson, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834
Isabella Carson, aged 24, a spinster, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834

Carson migration to Australia +

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

Carson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Carson, English convict from Nottingham, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
John Carson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Mary Dugdale" in 1840 10
Mr. John Carson, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 28th July 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
James Carson, English convict from Staffordshire, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
Mr. David Carson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carson 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:

Carson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charles Carson, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Elizabeth Carson, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
John Carson, aged 21, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
James Carson, aged 27, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
Jane Carson, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Carson (post 1700) +

Rachel Louise Carson (1907-1964), American writer and marine biologist and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson (1809-1868), American frontiersman, a mountain man (fur trapper), wilderness guide, Indian agent, and U.S. Army officer
John William "Johnny" Carson (1925-2005), American actor, comedian and writer best known the host of "The Tonight Show" and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Jeff Carson (1963-2022), born Jeffrey Lee Herndon, an American country music artist who charted 14 singles on the Billboard country charts, including the Number One hit "Not on Your Love", the Top Ten hits "The Car" and "Holdin' Onto Somethin'", and the Top 20 "Real Life (I Never Was the Same Again)"
Alton "Big Al" Carson (1953-2020), American blues and jazz singer from New Orleans
Donna Marie Carson (1946-2019), American folk and folk-rock singer, member of the duo Hedge and Donna
Dr. Benjamin S. "Ben" Carson Sr. (b. 1951), American neurosurgeon and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2017-)
Wayne Carson (1943-2015), born Wayne Carson Head, an American country musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his songs "Neon Rainbow", "The Letter" and "Always on My Mind"
Joanne Carson (1932-2015), American television talk show host and model, widow of Johnny Carson
Samuel Price Carson (1798-1838), American politician, Congressional Representative from North Carolina
... (Another 82 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Carson family +

Halifax Explosion

Master Harold Carson (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Master Gordon Carson (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mr. John Carson (1882-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mrs. Kathleen Carson (1890-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Miss Lillian Carson (1916-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15

HMS Repulse

Mr. Robert Carson, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 16

Mount Mulligan Mine

James Carson, Irish-born, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

RMS Lusitania

Miss Henrietta Carson, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 17

USS Arizona

Mr. Carl M. Carson, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 18

USS Indianapolis

Clifford Carson (1918-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 19

The Carson 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: Ne m'oubliez
Motto Translation: Don't forget me.

Sources +

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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1826 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1826
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARY DUGDALE 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840MaryDugdale.gif
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 23rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew