Surname Roberson - Meaning and Origin

Roberson: What does the surname Roberson mean?

The surname Roberson is of English origin and is a patronymic form of the personal name Robert. It essentially means "son of Robert." The name Robert is derived from the old Germanic name Hrodebert, which is a combination of "hrod" meaning "renown" and "berht" meaning "bright or famous." As a common first name in England following the Norman Conquest, it spawned various forms of surnames, including Robert, Roberts, Robertson, and Roberson. Just like many surnames during the medieval period, the spelling and form of the name Roberson would often change depending on the local dialect and the literacy of the scribe in different locations and times. This is why we see a wide variety of spelling forms. The name is now widespread in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, and also has a significant presence in Scotland. Surnames often reflect a direct lineage or ancestral relation, so bearers of the name Roberson might be related to a long line of "sons of Robert". However, ancestry can often be complex, with divisions and intermixtures among families that share the same surname.

Roberson: Where does the name Roberson come from?

The last name Roberson is both an American and English surname. In the United States, it is the 1,030th most common surname, according to the Census Bureau of 2020. It is especially prevalent in the South, with high concentrations in Oklahoma and Texas. Other states with significant numbers of Robersons include Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Arkansas.

In England, where it is spelled Robinson, the surname is one of the ten most common family names. It has been estimated to have been held by almost one in sixty people in England in the mid-nineteenth century. In Scotland, it is also a fairly common surname.

The origins of the surname vary, and both American and British Roberson’s probably share several different haplogroups. It may have been derived from the Germanic elements, hrod and berht, meaning “glory” and “bright”, or it could have been an Old English toponym, meaning of the son of Robert. Many Robersons derive their family name from the first name of their progenitors, a practice that was common in both the British Isles and the US.

Today, the last name Roberson is common in many parts of the world. Although it isn’t one of the top 1,000 most common surnames in the United States, it can still be found in the South and in other areas where there have been large-scale migrations of people with primarily English and Scottish heritage.

Variations of the surname Roberson

The surname Roberson is an anglicized version of the German or Dutch surname Roberszoon, which is derived from the personal name Robert. Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Robers, Robersz, Roberszoon, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Robson, Robbin, Robb, Robins, Robe, Rohrbacher, Robberson, Robertz, Roberto, Robertso, Robertsun, Robotson, Robenson, Robinsen, Robison, Robertsen and Rubenstein.

Roberson is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom, though it can also be found in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Germany. It is one of the most frequently found surnames in the US, ranking at number 265 out of 88,799 familial names. The estimated population of Robersons in the United States is around 100,000 people.

Roberson is not a widely uncommon surname and is often believed to be of British origin. It first began to be recorded in English court documents from the 13th century onwards, with other variants of the same name being used shortly afterwards. Throughout the centuries, the surname has spread across the world and adopted a variety of spellings and variants based on the region and country of origin.

Famous people with the name Roberson

• Elijah Roberson: Former Pro Bowl NFL Running Back
• Doug Roberson: Award-winning Musician and Composer
• Carrolyn Roberson: makeup artist
• David Roberson: former U.S Congressman
• Sydney Roberson: YouTube Star
• Barry Roberson: Former Major League Baseball Player
• Andrew Roberson: Musician
• Roy Roberson: R&B Singer-Songwriter
• Rodney Roberson: Former NBA Player
• Will Roberson: Emmy Award-winning Actor

Other surnames

RobersRöbers