Johnstone is a surname. It is a variant of the similar surname Johnston which in most cases is a

habitational surname A toponymic surname or topographic surname is a surname derived from a place name.

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

Etymology

#The habitational surname ''Johnstone'' / ''Johnston'' is in most cases derived from the name of Johnstone located in Annandale,

Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries (''Siorrachd Dhùn Phris'' in Gaelic) is a historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the historic county. I ...

, Scotland. This surname is derived from the genitive case of the

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

'' and ''tone'' or ''toun'' ("

settlement Settlement may refer to: *Human settlement, a community where people live *Settlement (structural), the distortion or disruption of parts of a building * Closing (real estate), the final step in executing a real estate transaction *Settlement (fin ...

" in

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

; ''tun'' in

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...

), literally meaning "John's town". There are several similar place names in Scotland, including the city of

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, which was once known as ''St. John's Toun''. This and other similarly named locations may also be sources for the habitational surnames ''Johnstone'' / ''Johnston''.

List of persons with the surname

17th century

James Johnstone, 1st Earl of Hartfell James Johnstone, 1st Earl of Hartfell (1602 – April 1653) was a Scottish peer and royalist. Background He was the only son of Sir James Johnstone, the Warden of the West Marches and his wife Sarah, sister of William Maxwell, 5th Lord Herries o ...

(1602–1653) *

James Johnstone, 2nd Marquess of Annandale James Johnstone, 3rd Earl of Annandale and Hartfell and 2nd Marquess of Annandale (c.1687–1730) was a Scottish politician who sat in the British House of Commons briefly in 1708 before being disqualified as eldest son of a Scottish peer. Joh ...

(c.1687–1730) * Sir James Johnstone, 3rd Baronet (1697–1772), Scottish baronet and politician * Dr. John Johnstone (1661–1732), 32nd Mayor of New York City *

William Johnstone, 1st Marquess of Annandale William Johnstone, 2nd Earl of Annandale and Hartfell, 1st Marquess of Annandale KT (17 February 1664 – 14 January 1721) was a Scottish nobleman. He was the son of James Johnstone, 1st Earl of Annandale and Hartfell and Henrietta Douglas. He s ...

(1664–1721), Scottish nobleman * Sir William Johnstone, 2nd Baronet (1600s–1727), Scottish baronet and politician

18th century

Charles Johnstone Charles Johnstone (–1800) was an Irish novelist. Prevented by deafness from practising at the Irish Bar, he went to India, where he was proprietor of a newspaper. He wrote one successful book, ''Chrysal, or the Adventures of a Guinea'', a ...

(c. 1719–1800), Irish novelist *

Chevalier de Johnstone James Johnstone (1719 – c. 1791), also known as Chevalier de Johnstone or Johnstone de Moffatt, was the son of an Edinburgh merchant. He escaped to France after participating in the 1745 Rising; in 1750, he was commissioned in the colonial arm ...

(1719 – c. 1791), army officer * Edward Huggins Johnstone (1791–1850), Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky * George Johnstone, 3rd Marquess of Annandale (1720–1792) * George Johnstone (1730–1787), British naval officer and Member of Parliament * George Johnstone (1764–1813), British politician * Sir James Johnstone, 4th Baronet (1726–1794) * James Johnstone (c. 1759–1823) British naval officer, acting lieutenant during George Vancouver’s 1791–95 expedition * John Johnstone (1734–1795), Scottish nabob * Thomas Johnstone (1772–1839), sailor, smuggler and saboteur * William Johnstone (1729–1805), Scottish advocate, landowner and politician

19th century

* Sir Alan Johnstone (1858–1932), British diplomat *

Archie Johnstone Archibald Russell Johnstone (known as Archie Johnstone) (18 September 1896 – 9 September 1963) was a Scottish journalist, hotelier and humanitarian, who defected to the Soviet Union. His first wife was the English writer Nancy Johnstone. Early ...

(1896-1963), Scottish journalist who defected to the Soviet Union; husband of Nancy Johnstone *

Banner Johnstone Banner Carruthers Johnstone (11 November 1882 – 20 June 1964) was a British oarsman who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Johnstone was born in Bebington, then lived in Cheshire and was educated at Eton, where he was captain of the boa ...

(1882–1964), British rower * Barbara Elizabeth Johnstone (1849–1928), English burlesque performer and opera bouffe soprano *

Edward Grahame Johnstone Lieutenant Edward Grahame Johnstone (6 May 1899 – 1946) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 17 aerial victories. Biography He was born in Tooting, London, England, the son of Edward Henderson Johnstone and Stella Johnstone (né ...

(1899–1946), British World War I flying ace *

Harcourt Johnstone Harcourt Johnstone (19 May 18951 March 1945), nicknamed Crinks, was a British Liberal Party politician. Early life and education Johnstone was born in London in 1895, the son of the Hon. Sir Alan Johnstone, a British diplomat, and his American ...

(1895–1945), British Liberal Party politician * Henry James Johnstone (1835–1907), British portrait photographer and landscape painter in Australia * James Johnstone (1801–1888), Scottish Liberal Party politician * John Johnstone (1869–1953), Scottish footballer * Joseph Johnstone (1860–1931), Scottish Liberal politician *

Justine Johnstone Justine Olive Johnstone Wanger (January 31, 1895 – September 4, 1982) was an American stage, and silent screen actress, pathologist and expert on syphilis. Working under her married name, she was part of the team that developed the modern ...

(1895–1982), American actress and pathologist *

Lamar Johnstone Edward Lamar Johnstone (March 15, 1884 – May 21, 1919) was an American silent film actor and director. Biography Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Johnstone starred in 82 films as an actor between 1911 and his death in 1919. He often starred alongs ...

(1882–1919), American actor and director *

Ralph Johnstone Ralph Greenley Johnstone (September 18, 1880 – November 17, 1910) was the first American person to die while piloting an airplane that crashed. He and Archibald Hoxsey were known as the "heavenly twins" for their attempts to break altitud ...

(1886–1910), American aviator who died in an air crash * Susan Johnstone (1792-1850), British actress *

William Johnstone (VC) William Johnstone VC (6 August 1823 – 20 August 1857) was a Royal Navy sailor and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He enlisted a ...

(1823–1857), British soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross

20th century

* Alex Johnstone (1961–2016), Scottish politician *

Alison Johnstone Alison Johnstone (born 11 October 1965) is a Scottish politician who has served as the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament since 2021. Elected as a member of the Scottish Greens, she relinquished her party affiliation on becoming Presi ...

(born 1965), Scottish politician * Arthur H. Johnstone, South African scouting official * Anne Grahame Johnstone (1928–1998), illustrator * Anthony "Tony" Johnstone (born 1956), Zimbabwean professional golfer * Archibald Johnstone (1924-2014), Canadian businessman and retired Senator * Billy Johnstone, Australian rugby player *

Bobby Johnstone Robert Johnstone (7 September 1929 – 22 August 2001) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Selkirk, Hibernian, Manchester City, Oldham Athletic and Witton Albion. Johnstone also represented Scotland and the Scottish League. Johnston ...

(1929–2001), Scottish footballer *

Brad Johnstone Bradley Ronald Johnstone (born 30 July 1950), known as Brad Johnstone, is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently the President of the North Shore Rugby Football Club. He used to play as a prop. All Black number 749. He first p ...

(born 1950), New Zealand rugby union footballer and coach * Bruce Johnstone (born 1943), American musician * Bruce Johnstone (1937–2022), South African Formula One race car driver *

Campbell Johnstone Campbell Johnstone (born 7 January 1980) is a New Zealand international rugby union player who plays for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14. In December 2012 he joined Welsh regional team Ospreys until the end of the 2012/13 season, going straig ...

(born 1980), All Black, New Zealand Rugby Player * Chris Johnstone (born 1960) * Colin Johnstone, (1921–1991) New Zealander rower *

Davey Johnstone David William Logan Johnstone (born 6 May 1951) is a British rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his long-time collaboration with Elton John as a member of the Elton John Band. Career Johnstone's first work was with Noel Murphy in 1 ...

(born 1951), rock guitarist and vocalist *

Derek Johnstone Derek Joseph Johnstone (born 4 November 1953) is a Scottish former football player and manager. Johnstone played mainly for Rangers winning 14 major trophies during his career. He also had a spell at Chelsea and a brief stint in management wi ...

(born 1953), Scottish footballer *

Diana Johnstone Diana Johnstone (born 1934) is an American political writer based in Paris, France. She focuses principally on European politics and Western foreign policy. Early life Johnstone gained a BA in Russian Area Studies and a PhD in French Literature f ...

(born 1934), American political writer *

Dougie Johnstone Douglas Johnstone (born 12 March 1969 in Irvine, North Ayrshire) is a Scottish footballer. He played professionally as a central defender before retiring and becoming a teacher at various schools around North Ayrshire, including the now demoli ...

(born 1969), Scottish footballer *

Ed Johnstone Edward Lavern "Eddie" Johnstone (born March 2, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for the Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades in the World Hockey Association (WHA), followed by parts of ten seasons in the National ...

(born 1954), Canadian ice hockey player * Edward Huggins Johnstone (1922-2013), American federal judge * Eve Johnstone, (born 1944) Scottish Head of the Division of Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh *

Frederick Johnston (disambiguation) Frederick Johnston may refer to: * Fred Johnston (baseball) (1899–1959), American baseball player * Fred Johnston (writer) (born 1951), Irish poet, novelist, literary critic and musician * Frederick Johnston (cricketer) (1915–1977), Australia ...

* Gavin Wildridge Johnstone (1941–1987), Australian ornithologist *

Graeme Johnstone Graeme Douglas Johnstone (17 May 1945 – 16 November 2012) was the state coroner of Victoria, Australia from 1994 to 2007. He retired on 29 November 2007, and was replaced by Judge Jennifer Coate. He is noted for often personally visiting the s ...

, Australian state coroner for Victoria *

Gwyneth Johnstone Gwyneth Johnstone (18 June 1915 – 8 December 2010) was an English painter who worked on oil and created landscapes containing individuals in modern landscapes starting from the 1950s. Born as the illegitimate daughter to the musician Nora Brow ...

(1915–2010), English landscape painter * Harry Johnstone, English footballer * James Johnstone (disambiguation) * Janet Johnstone (1928–1979), illustrator *

Jay Johnstone John William Johnstone Jr. (November 20, 1945 – September 26, 2020) was an American professional baseball player and television sports announcer. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1966 to 1985 for the California Angels, ...

(1946–2020), American baseball player *

John Johnstone (baseball) John William Johnstone (born November 25, 1968) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Career Minor leagues Johnstone was chosen in the 20th round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. He joined the Kingspo ...

(born 1968), former Major League Baseball player *

Jude Johnstone Jude Johnstone is an American singer-songwriter. Her songs have been covered by Laura Branigan, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Mary Black, and others. Johnstone wrote the No. 1 song "The ...

, American singer-songwriter *

Keith Johnstone Keith Johnstone (born February 21, 1933) is a British and Canadian pioneer of improvisational theatre, best known for inventing the ''Impro System'', part of which are the Theatresports. He is also an educator, playwright, actor and theatre direct ...

(born 1933), American drama instructor * Lance Johnstone (born 1973), American football player * Lew Johnstone (1916–1983), Australian politician * Mandy Johnstone (born 1972), Australian politician *

Marty Johnstone Christopher Martin "Marty" Johnstone (1951–1979) was a New Zealand drug trafficker born in Auckland. The former Takapuna Grammar pupil was dubbed "Mr Asia" by the '' Auckland Star'' newspaper in August 1978 in a series of articles by Pat Booth. ...

(1951–1979), New Zealand drug trafficker * Nancy Johnstone (1906-1951), English writer and humanitarian, wife of Archie Johnstone *

Nathan Johnstone Nathan Johnstone (born 9 February 1990) is a snowboarder Snowboarding is a recreational and competitive activity that involves descending a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard that is almost always attached to a rider's feet. ...

(born 1990), Australian snowboarder *

Parker Johnstone Parker Johnstone III (born March 27, 1961) is a former race car driver and motorsports announcer from Redmond, Oregon. An accomplished musician, he was the principal trumpet of the International Youth Orchestra, touring Europe, playing with Herb ...

(born 1961), American race car driver * Paul Neil Milne Johnstone (1952–2004), British poet * Peter Johnstone (1922–1977), New Zealand rugby player * Peter Johnstone (born 1944), former governor of Anguilla) * Peter Tennant Johnstone (born 1948), British mathematician *

Phil Johnstone Phil Johnstone (1 September 1957 – 31 May 2021) was an English songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist, and record producer, best known for his work with singer Robert Plant. His songwriting credits include Plant's number-one Mainstream Rock hits ...

, songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist and record producer * Sam Johnstone (born 1993), English footballer *

Sandy Johnstone Air Vice Marshal Alexander Vallance Riddell Johnstone, (2 June 1916 – 13 December 2000) was a Scottish airman. He served as a Royal Air Force squadron, wing and station commander during the Second World War and the commander of Commonwealth for ...

(1916–2000), British Air Marshal *

Travis Johnstone Travis Johnstone (born 17 July 1980) is an Australian rules footballer who has played for the Melbourne Football Club and Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the grandson of former Fitzroy Lions player, Norm Johnst ...

(born 1980), Australian rules footballer * Tyler Johnstone (born 1992), American football player * William Johnstone (1908–1996), American actor * William W. Johnstone (1938–2004), American author of novels about the Old West

Scottish clan

Clan Johnstone Clan Johnstone is a Border Reiver Scottish clan.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 19 ...

, a Scottish clan, whose chief has the noble title Earl of Annandale and Hartfell

People with a variant form of the surname

William Johnstone Milne William Johnstone Milne VC (21 December 1892 – 9 April 1917) was a First World War Canadian soldier. Milne was a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that ...

(1892–1917), Canadian World War I soldier *

William Johnstone Ritchie Sir William Johnstone Ritchie (October 28, 1813 – September 25, 1892) was one of the first judges appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. He became the second Chief Justice of the court, and the second-longest serving Chief Justice to da ...

(1813 – 92), Chief Justice of the Canadian Supreme Court * George Johnstone Stoney (1826–1911), Irish physicist; introduced the term "electron"

Fictional people with the surname

* Paul Johnstone, alter-ego of the anti-hero

Shadowhawk ShadowHawk is a fictional antihero created by Jim Valentino. He was first advertised in the ''Malibu Sun'' free promotional magazine in May of 1992. His official Image Comics debut was in the second issue of Rob Liefeld's '' Youngblood'' series. ...

References

{{surname English-language surnames