Evenson

EV-en-sun

A surname most likely meaning “son of Evan,” with Evan being a Welsh form of John.

The #5,694 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,714 Americans shares it.

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Etymology

Evenson is best understood as a patronymic surname: “son of Evan.” Evan is the Welsh equivalent of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” In English records, the surname would have been formed in the usual way by adding -son to a father’s given name.

History

This surname appears in English-speaking records as a relatively straightforward family name built from a common Welsh personal name. In the United States it is not among the most common surnames, but it is well formed enough to have arisen independently wherever Evan was used as a given name. The historical excerpts provided mention the name only incidentally, so they do not add much beyond confirming its presence in onomastic literature.

Origin

patronymic or matronymicEnglishWelsh

Regions

WalesEnglandUnited States

Variant spellings

EvinsonEvensenEvanson

Fun fact

Because Evan is a Welsh form of John, Evenson is indirectly tied to one of the most widespread biblical naming traditions in Europe.

From the historical record

“Edmond. Evenson. Dyle. 485. Duignam.”

— Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames and Christian Names in Ireland

Related surnames

Confidence: mixed. Sources: Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames and Christian Names in Ireland.

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