Monson
Usually an English surname that likely began as a Norman place-name form, though some 19th-century writers also linked it to a nickname meaning “monk’s son.”
The #3,424 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 29,616 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Monson has been explained in more than one way. Several older authorities connect it with a Norman or French place-name form, especially Monceaux or a similar name, while others suggested a patronymic sense such as “son of Mon/Mun” or even “monk’s son.” The place-name explanation is often treated as the stronger one in the older literature, but the evidence is not perfectly settled.
History
Historical notices in the older genealogical sources place early bearers in Lincolnshire by the late 14th century, and later branches produced the Lords Monson. The name appears in spellings such as Mounson and Monceaux in the record, which is one reason earlier writers debated whether it was locational or patronymic in origin.
Origin
Regions
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Fun fact
One 19th-century writer made a heraldic pun on the name by saying it could be read as “moon and sun” joined together.
From the historical record
“(rfAimute), red] MONSON I = Manson, q.v. 2 for Monk's Son. MONTAGU 1 (A.-Fr.-Lat.) Bel. to Montaigu Montague] (Normandy) = the Peaked Hill [Fr. mont, Lat. mons, mont-is, a hill + Fr. aigu, Lat. acut-us, pointed] This name was Latinized in mediaeval”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)