Dickson is a Scottish Borders surname with a patronymic root and a place in one of the most celebrated episodes of the Wars of Independence. From a simple “son of Dick,” it became the name of a notable riding family of the frontier.
Quick answer: Dickson means “son of Dick” — Dick being a pet form of Richard — and it is a Scottish Borders name long associated with Clan Douglas; it is also found in Ulster.
Where Does the Dickson Name Come From?
The name is a patronymic, formed from Dick — the everyday short form of Richard — with the ending “-son,” giving “son of Dick.” It became established as a surname in the Scottish Borders, the country of the riding families and the great house of Douglas. According to long tradition, Thomas Dickson of Hazelside was a loyal follower of Sir James “the Good” Douglas and played a part in the famous retaking of Douglas Castle in 1307, an episode of the Wars of Scottish Independence. That bond tied the Dicksons closely to the Douglases ever after.
From its Borders home the name spread, including into Ulster during the plantation settlements, so that Dickson families are found in both Scotland and the north of Ireland today.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dickson Name
What nationality is the Dickson surname?
Dickson is Scottish, a Borders name, and is also found in Ulster in the north of Ireland.
What does the Dickson name mean?
It means “son of Dick,” from Dick as a pet form of the name Richard.
Is Dickson connected to Clan Douglas?
Yes — by long tradition the Dicksons were closely associated with the Douglases, dating to the Wars of Independence.
Is Dickson a clan?
Dickson is a Borders family name associated with Clan Douglas rather than a clan with its own chief.
To celebrate the surname’s Borders and Ulster story with a name-specific keepsake, browse our Dickson family heritage gifts.