ARNISON
Arnison
Arnison is a British surname that is believed to have originated from the Old Scandinavian personal name "Arnketill" or "Arnkell", which was composed of the elements "arn", meaning eagle, and "ketill" or "kell", meaning cauldron or helmet. The surname Arnison is classified as a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Arnkell".
Arnison is most commonly found in Northern England and Scotland, particularly in the historical counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Northumberland. The surname has various spellings, including Arnisson, Arnisone, and Arnesson.
Individuals bearing the surname Arnison have been noted in historical records dating back to the 16th century, particularly in parish registers and census documents. The Arnison family name has been associated with occupations such as farmers, blacksmiths, and miners, reflecting the traditional industries of the regions where they resided.
The distribution of the Arnison surname has remained relatively concentrated within Northern England and Scotland, with occasional migration to other English-speaking countries. Variants of the surname, such as Arnason and Arnesson, are also found in Scandinavian countries, highlighting the shared heritage and influence of Old Norse names in the British Isles.
In modern times, individuals with the surname Arnison can be found across the United Kingdom and other parts of the English-speaking world. The name continues to carry with it a sense of regional identity and heritage, linking present-day bearers to their ancestral roots in Northern England and Scotland.
There are approximately 248 people named Arnison in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Arnison.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Dean
- John
- Martin
- Neil
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Roland
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Jean
- Julie
- Kate
- Laurel
- Margaret
- Marion
- Rebecca
- Sally
- Susan