Robertson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Robertson is a Scottish surname meaning 'son of Robert', derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'fame' and 'bright'. It evolved from Hrodberht to Robert and finally to Robertson. The name reflects traits of leadership and strength, with no specific biblical relevance. It gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and remains a common surname today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Robertson"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɒbərtsən/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Robertson is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Robert, which comes from the Germanic elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'shining'.
Meaning
son of Robert
Language Evolution
Hrodberht, Robert, Robertson
Historical Usage
The surname Robertson gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages as a common way to denote descendants of individuals named Robert, particularly among the clan system.
Variants & Derivatives
Roberts, Robbie, Rob
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Robertson is a widely recognized surname, often associated with strength and leadership due to its historical roots.
Famous People
Samuel Robertson, James Robertson, Robertson Davies
📊 Robertson Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Robertson Name Visualizations
✨ Robertson Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 16 peak births in 1964
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Robertson"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Robertson"
"Robertson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4347th of 7545 | 50 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5372nd of 6773 | 17 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3428th of 7552 | 106 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4282nd of 10718 | 94 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5224th of 16616 | 134 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11426th of 24088 | 64 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11932nd of 23106 | 51 |
Regional Popularity of "Robertson" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Robertson" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Robertson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Robertson" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Robertson" in the United States
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Robertson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4347th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5372nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3428th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4282nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5224th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11426th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11932nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Robertson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.