Aitchison
Encyclopedia
Aitchison is a Scottish
surname
of Anglo-Scots origin. It derives from the pet name Atkin, which is a diminutive of Adam
.
In Scotland
, a more common variant of the name is Acheson
. It corresponds to the English name Atkinson
, which is particularly common in Northern England
. At the time of the British Census of 1881 , the relative frequency of the name Aitcheson was highest in Berwickshire
(174.6 times the British average), followed by Haddingtonshire, Roxburghshire
, Selkirkshire
, Peeblesshire
, Dumfriesshire
, Edinburghshire, Linlithgowshire, Northumberland
and Lanarkshire
. The Aitchisons are traditionally a mainly Borders
and Lowlands
family. They are considered to be a sept
of Clan Gordon
In Ireland
, the name is common only in Ulster
and particularly in counties Antrim
and Down
. Some Aitchisons are descended from Planters
, although the name was recorded in Ireland before that period.
Acheson is a variation of the name in Scotland and the Border region
, having been originally spelled Atzinson (with the 'z' being pronounced as 'y', as in yet).
Aitchison may also refer to:
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
of Anglo-Scots origin. It derives from the pet name Atkin, which is a diminutive of Adam
Adam
Adam is a figure in the Book of Genesis. According to the creation myth of Abrahamic religions, he is the first human. In the Genesis creation narratives, he was created by Yahweh-Elohim , and the first woman, Eve was formed from his rib...
.
In Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, a more common variant of the name is Acheson
Acheson (surname)
Acheson is a surname of Anglo-Scots origin with Norman antecedents.ache is gaelic form of ayres :ayr: meaning sword. acheson are the sons of the sword for the scottish crown...
. It corresponds to the English name Atkinson
Atkinson (surname)
Atkinson is an English-language surname. The name is derived from a patronymic form of the Middle English Atkin. The personal name Atkin is one of many pet forms of the name Adam....
, which is particularly common in Northern England
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
. At the time of the British Census of 1881 , the relative frequency of the name Aitcheson was highest in Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
(174.6 times the British average), followed by Haddingtonshire, Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
, Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south...
, Peeblesshire
Peeblesshire
Peeblesshire , the County of Peebles or Tweeddale was a county of Scotland. Its main town was Peebles, and it bordered Midlothian to the north, Selkirkshire to the east, Dumfriesshire to the south, and Lanarkshire to the west.After the local government reorganisation of 1975 the use of the name...
, Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
, Edinburghshire, Linlithgowshire, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
and Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
. The Aitchisons are traditionally a mainly Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
and Lowlands
Scottish Lowlands
The Scottish Lowlands is a name given to the Southern half of Scotland.The area is called a' Ghalldachd in Scottish Gaelic, and the Lawlands ....
family. They are considered to be a sept
Sept (social)
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
of Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
In Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the name is common only in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
and particularly in counties Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
. Some Aitchisons are descended from Planters
Plantation of Ulster
The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation of Ulster—a province of Ireland—by people from Great Britain. Private plantation by wealthy landowners began in 1606, while official plantation controlled by King James I of England and VI of Scotland began in 1609...
, although the name was recorded in Ireland before that period.
Acheson is a variation of the name in Scotland and the Border region
Scottish Marches
Scottish Marches was the term used for the Anglo-Scottish border during the late medieval and early modern eras—from the late 13th century, with the creation by Edward I of England of the first Lord Warden of the Marches to the early 17th century and the creation of the Middle Shires, promulgated...
, having been originally spelled Atzinson (with the 'z' being pronounced as 'y', as in yet).
People
- Craigie Mason Aitchison, Lord Aitchison (1882–1941), Scottish politician and judge
- His son Craigie Aitchison (painter)Craigie Aitchison (painter)Craigie Aitchison, RA, CBE was a Scottish painter. He was known for his many paintings of the Crucifixion, one of which hangs behind the altar in the chapter house of Liverpool Cathedral.-Education:...
(born 1926), Scottish painter
- His son Craigie Aitchison (painter)
- James H. AitchisonJames H. AitchisonJames Hermiston Aitchison was a Canadian academic and politician and leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
, Canadian politician - James AitchisonJames AitchisonJames Aitchison was a Scottish first class cricketer. Only two other players have appeared more times in first class cricket for Scotland and he holds the team's record for most career runs and highest individual score....
(1920–1994), Scottish cricketer - Jean AitchisonJean AitchisonJean Aitchison is a Professor of Language and Communication in the Faculty of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford....
, British linguist - Ronald Ernest AitchisonRonald Ernest AitchisonRonald Ernest Aitchison , was born in Hurstville, NSW, Australia on 29 December 1921. From 1942 to 1945 Ron worked as an engineer with the Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company on the design and production of klystrons and radar magnetrons, which were new devices important to the war effort...
(born 1921), Australian physicist - John AitchisonJohn AitchisonJohn Aitchison is a Scottish statistician. He studied at the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge. From 1966 to 1976 he was Titular Professor of Statistics, and Mitchell Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Glasgow. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1968...
(born 1926), Scottish statistician - James Aitchesoun, MasterMaster of the MintMaster of the Mint was an important office in the governments of Scotland and England, and later Great Britain, between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Master was the highest officer in the Royal Mint. Until 1699, appointment was usually for life. Its holder occasionally sat in the cabinet...
of the Scottish MintMints of ScotlandThere were a number of mints in Scotland, for the production of the Scottish coinage. The most important mint was that in the capital, Edinburgh, which was active from the reign of David I , and was the last to close, in the 19th century....
in 1553
Aitchison may also refer to:
- Aitchison CollegeAitchison CollegeAitchison College, Lahore, is one of the most prestigious educational institutions of its kind in South Asia. Established in 1886, it has retained its character over the years, maintaining the public school tradition of providing an education that uses academics, sports and co-curricular activities...
in Pakistan - Dollond & AitchisonDollond & AitchisonDollond & Aitchison are one of the oldest opticians in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1750.- History :On 21 April, 1750, Peter Dollond opened a small optical business in Vine Street, near Hatton Garden in London. He was joined by his father John Dollond in 1752. The Dollonds became...
, British chain of opticians