Watson is a patronymic surname of

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

and Scottish origin. It means "son of Walter": the popular

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 settlers in the mid-5th c ...

given names "Wat" or "Watt" were diminutive forms of the name "Walter". In 2015, Watson was the 46th most common surname in England and the 19th most common in Scotland.

A

Aaron Watson James Aaron Watson (born August 20, 1977) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since 1999, Watson has recorded several independent albums in his career. His 2015 album '' The Underdog'' reached No. 1 on Top Country Album ...

(born 1977), American singer * Adam Watson (1914–2007), British international relations theorist and researcher * Adam Watson (scientist) (1930–2019), Scottish scientist * A. J. Watson (1924–2014), American automotive engineer * Alana Watson, English musician * Albert Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Alberta Watson Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 – March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. Early life Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955.Rita Zekas"Alberta's Feeling At Home On Deranged", ...

(1955–2015), Canadian actress * Alex Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Alexander Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Allen Watson (born 1970), American baseball player * Alonzo Watson (1893–1937), African American Communist; died in the Spanish Civil War * Andrew Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Andy Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Angela Watson (born 1975), American actress * Anthony Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Art Watson Art Watson (January 11, 1884 – May 9, 1950) nicknamed "Watty", was a catcher in Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is ...

(1884–1950), American baseball catcher * Arthur Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Austin Watson (born 1986), American professional wrestler better known as

Xavier Woods Austin Watson (born September 4, 1986) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Xavier Woods. He app ...

or Consequences Creed * Austin Watson (born 1992), American ice hockey player

B

B. B. Watson Haskell Burl "B. B." Watson (July 10, 1953 – September 28, 2013) was an American country music artist. He charted in 1991 with the single "Light at the End of the Tunnel" from his album of the same name. Biography Haskell Burl Watson was bor ...

(born 1953), American country music singer *

Barrington Watson Basil Barrington Watson (9 January 1931 – 26 January 2016) was a Jamaican painter. Biography Born in 1931 January 9th in Lucea, Barrington Watson made his original mark in Jamaica as a football player for Kingston College. However, he ultima ...

(1931–2016), Jamaican painter * Barry Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Ben Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Brad Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Brandon Watson (American football) Brandon Rusnak (born Brandon Watson on July 11, 1995) is an American football cornerback for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He played college football for University of Michigan. Professional career Rusnak signed with the Jacksonville Jagu ...

(born 1995), American football player *

Brook Watson Sir Brook Watson, 1st Baronet (7 February 1735 – 2 October 1807) was a British merchant, soldier, and later Lord Mayor of London. He is perhaps best known as the subject of John Singleton Copley's painting ''Watson and the Shark, ''which depict ...

(1735–1807), British merchant, soldier, and

Lord Mayor of London The Lord Mayor of London is the mayor of the City of London and the leader of the City of London Corporation. Within the City, the Lord Mayor is accorded precedence over all individuals except the sovereign and retains various traditional pow ...

* Bruce Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Bryan Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Bubba Watson (born 1978), American golfer

C

* Carol Stuart Watson (1931–1986), American illustrator and publisher *

Cecelia Watson Cecelia Watson is an American author, and a historian and philosopher of science. Career Watson attended St. John's College (Annapolis/Santa Fe), earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts. She then did graduate work at the University of Chicago under the ...

(fl. 2010s–2020s), American author and historian * Chandra Watson (born 1975) of

The Watson Twins The Watson Twins are an American alternative country band based in Los Angeles, formed by identical twin sisters Chandra and Leigh Watson. Biography Chandra and Leigh were born on March 28, 1975, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Louisville, Ke ...

, American singer * Charles Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Chris Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Christian Watson Christian Justus Watson (born May 12, 1999) is an American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State, and was selected by the Packers in the second ro ...

(born 1999), American football player * Clarence Wayland Watson (1864–1940), United States Senator and coal company executive *

Cliff Watson Clifford H. Watson (26 April 1940 – 2 May 2018) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 1960s and 1970s. He played for the St Helens in the Rugby Football League Championship, and later the Cronulla-Suthe ...

, English rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s for Great Britain, St Helens, and Cronulla-Sutherland *

Cliff Watson (speedway rider) Clifford Grant Watson (28 August 1916 – 23 April 1989) was an international motorcycle speedway motorcyclist who qualified for the Speedway World Championship final in 1949.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World Speedway ...

, motorcycle speedway rider of the 1940s and 1950s * Clifford Watson, ice hockey player of the 2010s for the Sioux City Musketeers and the

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

* Clifford Watson, rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s for Keighley and Hunslet * Colin Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Craig Watson (disambiguation), multiple people

D

* David Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Debbie Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Dennis Wallace Watson (1914–2008), Canadian-American microbiologist *

Deshaun Watson Derrick Deshaun Watson (born September 14, 1995) is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson, where he led the team to a national championship in 2 ...

(born 1995), American football player *

Doc Watson Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. W ...

(1923–2012), American musician *

Don Watson Don Watson (born 1949) is an Australian author, screenwriter, former political adviser, and speechwriter. Early life Watson was born in 1949 at Warragul in the Gippsland region of Victoria, and grew up on a farm in nearby Korumburra. Academi ...

, Australian author *

Donald Watson Donald Watson (2 September 1910 – 16 November 2005) was an English animal rights advocate who co-founded The Vegan Society. Early life Watson was born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, the son of a headmaster in a mining community. As a child, Watso ...

, pioneer vegan

E

* E. L. Grant Watson (1885–1970), writer, anthropologist and biologist *

Earl Watson Earl Joseph Watson Jr. (born June 12, 1979) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA ...

(born 1979), American basketball player and coach * Ed Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Edith Watson (1861–1943), Canadian photographer * Edith Watson (police officer) (1888–1966), British suffragist and police officer * Edward Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Elizabeth Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Ellen Watson Ellen Liddy Watson (July 2, 1860Van Pelt, p. 157. – July 20, 1889) was a pioneer of Wyoming who became known as Cattle Kate, an outlaw of the Old West, although the characterization is a dubious one, as subsequent research has tended to se ...

(1861–1889), American pioneer of Wyoming *

Emily Watson Emily Margaret Watson (born 14 January 1967) is an English actress. She began her career on stage and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1992. In 2002, she starred in productions of ''Twelfth Night'' and ''Uncle Vanya'' at the Donmar Wa ...

(born 1967), English actress *

Emma Watson Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson (born 15 April 1990) is an English actress and activist. Known for her roles in both blockbusters and independent films, as well as for her women's rights work, she has received a selection of accolades, includi ...

(born 1990), English actress and activist * Eric Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Eva Auld Watson (died 1948), American artist

F

* Floyd R. Watson (1872–1974), American physicist and acoustician * Frank Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Fred Watson Frederick Garnett "Fred" Watson AM (born 14 December 1944) is an English-born astronomer and popular scientist in Australia. He holds the role of Australia's First Astronomer at Large with the Commonwealth Government of Australia, relaying ...

(born 1944), British astronomer * Fred Watson (Australian footballer) (1882–1968), Australian rules footballer * Fred Watson (Scottish footballer), Scottish footballer

G

* G. N. Watson, English mathematician * Gary Watson (born 1930), British actor *

Gary Watson (cricketer) Gary Lancelot George Watson (born 3 October 1944) is a former South African cricketer who played first-class cricket in South Africa from 1964 to 1976. Cricket career Watson was a fast bowler and useful tail-end batsman. He made his first-clas ...

(born 1944), South African cricketer * George Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Graeme Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Gregory Watson, reviver of the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution

H

Hamish Watson (rugby union) Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson (born 15 October 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh. Born in England, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on a ...

(born 1991), Scottish rugby union player * Hannah Bunce Watson (1749–1807), American newspaper publisher * Harold Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Harry Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Heather Watson Heather Miriam Watson (born 19 May 1992) is a British professional tennis player. A former British No. 1, Watson has won nine titles over her career, including the mixed-doubles title at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships partnering Henri K ...

(born 1992), British tennis player * Helen Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Henry Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Homer Watson (1855–1936), Canadian landscape painter

I

* Ian Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Indica Watson Indica Elizabeth Watson (born 20 January 2010) is an English actress. She is known for her work in BBC television drama series '' The Missing'' and for playing the young Eurus Holmes in British crime drama '' Sherlock''. Career Watson's first ...

, English actress

J

* Jack Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * James Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Jamie Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Jasmine Watson, New Zealand artist *

Jaylen Watson Jaylen Watson (born September 17, 1998) is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ventura College before transferring to the Washington State Cougars. He w ...

(born 1998), American football player * Jeffrey Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Jenny Watson (artist) Jennifer Watson (born 1951) is an Australian artist known for her paintings that combine text and images. Biography Jenny Watson was born in Melbourne in 1951 and she lives and works in Samford, Queensland. Her formative years as an artist we ...

(born 1951), Australian artist *

Jessica Watson Jessica Watson (born 18 May 1993) is an Australian sailor who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal after attempting a solo global circumnavigation at the age of 16. Departing Sydney on 18 October 2009, Watson headed north-east, crossing the ...

(born 1993), Australian sailor * Jim Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Joan Thelma Watson (1953–2015), Canadian French Horn musician and teacher *

Jobe Watson Jobe Watson (born 8 February 1985) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Watson, the son of three-time Essendon premiership champion Tim Watson, w ...

, Australian rules footballer * Joel Watson (born 1986), New Zealand figure skater * John Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Dr. John Watson (fictional character) * Jordan Watson (born 1987), English kickboxer * Joseph Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Josh Watson (American football) (born 1996), American football player *

Joshua Watson Joshua Watson (1771–1855) was an English wine merchant, philanthropist, a prominent member of the high church party and of several charitable organisations, who became known as "the best layman in England". Life Joshua Watson was born on To ...

, settler * Justin Watson (wide receiver) (born 1995), American football player

K

* Kaetaeta Watson, master weaver from Kiribati * Keith Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Kenneth Watson (disambiguation), multiple people

L

* Lachlan Watson, American actor * Larry Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Leigh Watson (born 1975) of

, American singer * Lewis Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Liam Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Lisa Watson (born 1969), Falkland Islands journalist * Louis H. Watson (1907–1936), American bridge player *

Luman Watson Luman Watson was an early Cincinnati clockmaker. He worked in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1819 to 1834. His clocks had wooden works. He made both tall clocks and shelf clock Luman Watson, son and grandson of prosperous farmers, was born at Harwinton, Conn ...

(1790–1834), Cincinnati clockmaker *

Lyall Watson Lyall Watson (12 April 1939 – 25 June 2008) was a South African botanist, zoologist, biologist, anthropologist, ethologist, and author of many books, among the most popular of which is the best seller ''Supernature''. Lyall Watson tried to mak ...

(1935–2008), South African writer, botanist, zoologist, biologist, anthropologist and ethologist

M

* Mabel Madison Watson (1872-1952), American composer * Mark Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Marvin Watson (born 1976), American rapper better known by his stage name Messy Marv *

Mary Jane Watson Mary Jane "MJ" Watson is a Character (arts), fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., and made her first appearance in ''The Amazing Spider-Man' ...

, Spider-Man character. * Mary Spencer Watson (1913–2006), English sculptor * Matthew Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Maureen Thelma Watson Maureen Thelma Watson (née Eastwood; 15 September 1925 – 29 August 1994) was a Rhodesian politician. A Bulawayo native, she was a housewife and family planning advocate before entering politics. Elected to the Southern Rhodesian Legislative A ...

(1925–1994), Rhodesian politician * Maurice Watson (born 1993), American basketball player for Maccabi Rishon LeZion of the Israeli Basketball Premier League *

Michael Watson (disambiguation) Michael Watson (born 1965) is an English boxer. Michael or Mike Watson may also refer to: *Michael Watson (athlete) (born 1958), Bermudan middle-distance runner *Michael Watson (cyclist) (born 1938), Hong Kong Olympic cyclist *Michael Watson (lacro ...

, multiple people *

Moray Watson Moray Robin Philip Adrian Watson (25 June 1928 – 2 May 2017) was an English actor from Sunningdale, Berkshire. Life Watson was born in Sunningdale, Berkshire, to Gerard Arthur Watson (1901–1940), a ship broker, who was killed during World ...

(1928–2017), English actor

N

* Niall Watson (born 2000), English professional footballer * Nicholas Watson (born 1977), writer and filmmaker *Nicholas Watson (academic), English-Canadian medievalist *Nolan Watson (born 1979), Canadian businessman and philanthropist

P

*Patrick Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Paul Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Paula Watson (1927–2003), American singer *Percival Watson (1881–1959), Congregationalist minister in South Australia and Queensland *Peter Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Peyton Watson (born 2002), American basketball player *Phebe Watson (1876–1964), South Australian educator and union activist

R

*Ralph Watson (actor), Ralph Watson (1936–2021), English actor *Raymond Watson (disambiguation), multiple people * Reatha Dale Watson, birth name of Barbara La Marr, American actress *Rebecca Watson, a skeptical blogger and podcast host who founded the Skepchick blog *Reg Watson, Australian television producer *Regina Watson (1845-1913) German-American composer, pianist and teacher *Richard Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Robert Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Rodney Watson, American basketball coach *Rory Watson (born 1996), English footballer *Russell Watson, English tenor *Ruth Watson, English hotelier, broadcaster and food writer *Ruth Watson (artist), Ruth Watson, New Zealand artist *Ryan Watson (disambiguation), multiple people

S

*Sam Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Scott Watson, New Zealander convicted of murder *Sereno Watson, American botanist *Shane Watson, Australian cricketer *Shayne Watson (born 1982), Australian professional baseball player, coach *Sheila Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Steve Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Summer Watson, singer *Susan Kelechi Watson, American Actress of Jamaican parents *Sydney Watson (1903–1991), English church musician

T

*Terrell Watson (born 1993), American football player *Terrence Watson (born 1987), American-Israeli basketball player *Thomas Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Tim Watson, Australian rules footballer *Tom Watson (actor), Tom Watson (1932–2001), Scottish actor * Toni Watson (born 2000), Australian singer known professionally as Tones and I *Travis Watson (born 1981), American professional basketball player

W

* Walter Mother Watson (1865–1898), Major League Baseball pitcher *William Watson (disambiguation), multiple people *Wingfield W. Watson, (1828–1922), religious leader

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson English-language surnames Surnames of British Isles origin Surnames of English origin Surnames of Scottish origin Scottish surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names