Donelson (surname)

Donelson is a surname of Scottish origin and it is a variant of the name Donaldson which is a

patronymic A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, alt ...

for the name

Donald Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the ...

. Donaldson is also an English rendering of the name MacDonald. The name ''MacDonald'' in some cases became ''Donaldson'' and due to pronunciation of the name it corrupted to ''Donelson''. Notable people with the surname include: *

Andrew Jackson Donelson Andrew Jackson Donelson (August 25, 1799 – June 26, 1871) was an American diplomat and politician. He served in various positions as a Democrat and was the Know Nothing nominee for US Vice President in 1856. After the death of his father, Done ...

(1799–1871), American diplomat *

Daniel Smith Donelson Daniel Smith Donelson (June 23, 1801 – April 17, 1863) was a Tennessee planter, politician, and soldier. The historic Fort Donelson was named for him when he was serving as a Brigadier in the Tennessee militia, early in the American Civil Wa ...

(1802–1863), American soldier and politician *

Emily Donelson Emily Donelson (June 1, 1807 – December 19, 1836) was the niece of Rachel Donelson Jackson. She served as White House hostess, a role that effectively made her an acting first lady of the United States. Early life and marriage Emily Tennessee ...

(1807–1836), American niece of Rachel Donelson *

John Donelson John Donelson (1718–1785) was an American frontiersman, ironmaster, politician, city planner, and explorer. After founding and operating what became Washington Iron Furnace in Franklin County, Virginia for several years, he moved with his family ...

(1718–1785), American frontiersman and politician * Rachel Donelson (1767–1828), American wife of

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as ...

{{surname Anglicised Scottish Gaelic-language surnames Surnames of Scottish origin Patronymic surnames