Johnson is a common surname with English and Scottish origins. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of John”, which was a popular personal name in medieval times. The Johnson family can be traced back to the 12th century in Scotland and later in England during the 14th century. The name has been adopted by many notable figures throughout history, including U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and musician Robert Johnson. Today, Johnson is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world, with variations such as Johnston and Johnstone also being prevalent.