The surname Carson has several possible origins, primarily linked to Scottish and Irish roots.
The surname Carson is believed to have originated in southwestern Scotland, particularly in the Galloway region. It is thought to derive from the Gaelic personal name "Carr" or "Carra", meaning "rock" or "fort," combined with "son", indicating "son of Carr."
In Ireland, Carson is an Anglicized form of an Irish surname, especially from the Ulster region. It may have originated from the Gaelic surname "Ó Cearbhalláin" (descendant of Cearbhallán), though this connection is less certain.
The surname Carson is relatively common in Northern Ireland and Scotland and has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the U.S.
The surname may refer to: