Watson Family Tree research resources
Investigate the background of the Watson Genealogy using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Family Tree !
![]() | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 69469 people with the Watson surname? In that year Watson was ranked number 31 for popularity in the UK. |
"The son of Walter, which signifies the lord of the wood from wald, a wood, and heer, a master. "(The origin and signification of Scottish surnames. Clifford Stanley Sims, 1862)
Watson records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Watson family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
| Country Collection | |
|---|---|
![]() |
Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Watson family. |
![]() |
Ancestry.com US records search results for the Watson family. |
![]() |
Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Watson family. |
![]() |
Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Watson family. |
![]() |
Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Watson family. |
A Moment of your Time Please...
In order to try and help fund this website, I've tried producing some music. Click the banner below to listen to my latest album on your favourite streaming service. If you like it, please consider adding your favourite songs to a playlist!
Historical References
"WATSON, 'son of Walter,' from the diminutive form Wat or Watt. Sir Donaldus Walteri, a presbyter of the diocese of Moray, 1493, is mentioned in a document of 1612 as Sir Donald Watsone (Beauly, p. 104, 167). The full form Walterson also occurs in common use. John Watson held land in Edinburgh in 1392 (Eeidii, p. 28), Robert Watsoun was accused of being a forestaller in Aberdeen in 1402 (CRA., p. 384), and Thomas Watson of Stanhous was one of an inquest held at Dunipace in 1426 (Cambus., 87). John Watsoun of Garwaswould was juror on an inquest made at Lanark in 1432 (RAA., n, p. 61), and Nicholas Watson of Dalkeith held a land in the Appilgate of Arbroath in 1450 (ibid., p. 77). Waiter Watson, burgess of Dumbarton, was a landowner there in 1494, and a long succession of bailies, provosts, and other town officers descend from him. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the name was common throughout the Lowlands, and is one of the most common surnames in the northeastern counties. John Watsone was tenant of Uthircloy, Ardmanoch, in 1504 (ER., xn, p. 661). Andreas Watson was elected bailie of Aberdeen, 1509 (GuUdry, p. 193). Some of the MACWATTS, q.v., on the Highland line have translated their name to Watson. Vatsone 1533, Vatsoun 1573, Wateson 1462, Watsoune 1517, Wattsone 1686. "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. If you are lucky then you may find some previously undiscovered Watson ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Watson Tree?
Visit our Watson DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Watson Family History
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Watson Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources below you will be able to find a birth record and, from that, a birth certificate can be ordered which lists the names of the mother and father, taking you back another generation in your tree. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Watson family tree.
Search Watson Parish Records at Find My Past.
Check out the UK registered births, marriages and deaths for the Watson family name using the FreeBMD database.
Explore Genealogy Bank for Watson family records.
Search MyHeritage for Watson family data.
Investigate the LDS Database for records of the Watson family.
Research the Watson surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Watson Military records.
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 87553 people with the Watson surname in the UK? Watson is now ranked number 36 for popularity in the UK. |
Watson Family Tree Databases
Look at WikiTree for user contributed Watson family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Watson data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Search MyTrees for information on the Watson family and people looking to contact living Watson relations.
Investigate GENi for Watson family records.
Find your Irish Watson relatives on findmypast.ie
Watson Forums
Research the Watson surname using Genealogy.com forums .
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 312939 people with the Watson surname in the USA? Watson is ranked number 61 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Watson Databases
Look at the Ellis Island Database for information on the Watson family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Watson surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
Some people with the surname Watson
Ada Adam Alan Alastair Albert Alex Andi Angus Anne Anthony Arthur Basil Ben Bernard Billy Bobby Bob Brad Bruce Bryan Bubba Burton Cameron Carlos Chester Chris Claire Clarence Cliff Clinton Clyde Colin Corbin Craig Daniel Darsie Dave David Derek Derrick Deshaun Diane Doc Dwight Earl Edward Elkanah Ellen Emily Emma Emmett Eric Francis Frank Frederick Fred Gary Geoffrey George Graham Haworth Heather Henry Hilda Homer Ian Jack Jake James Janet Jeff Jeffrey Jenny Jeorge Jerome Jessica Jill Jim Joann Jobe Joe Joel John Jonathan Jordan Josh Kayla Keith Kenneth Kirk Lawrence Leo Lewis Liam Lilla Lillian Linda Lionel Liz Lorna Lou Luke Luman Lynne Mark Martha Mary Matt Maureen Merle Mona Mother Nolan Orla Patrick Patty Paul Perry Peter Phoebe Poss Preston Rajula Ray Raymond Richard Riley Robert Robin Ross Roy Ruth Ryan Sam Sereno Shane Shawn Simon Spann Stephen Steve Susan Sylva Tex Thomas Tim Tom Tony White William Willie





Ask a Question
Looking for information on a Watson in your family tree? Why not post a question here -