name
Common
Johnston
JON-stuhn
Johnston (name) means a Scottish surname, originally referring to someone from a place in Dumfriesshire whose name meant "John's town.". Example: “Her grandmother's maiden name was Johnston.”
name
1
A Scottish surname, originally referring to someone from a place in Dumfriesshire whose name meant "John's town."
"Her grandmother's maiden name was Johnston."
"The Johnston family emigrated from Scotland in the 1800s."
2
Also used as a place name for several towns and communities in the United States, Wales, and Australia.
"They stopped for lunch in Johnston on their drive through Iowa."
How to use Johnston
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surname (and several place names) meaning roughly "John's town."
Common mistake
Easy to misspell as "Johnson" — the two are related but distinct surnames.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- Johnstons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandmother's maiden name was _____.
Etymology
Formed from the given name John plus "-ton," an old word for a settlement or town — literally "John's town."
Frequently asked questions
What does “Johnston” mean?
The word “Johnston” means a Scottish surname, originally referring to someone from a place in Dumfriesshire whose name meant "John's town.". In plain terms, a surname (and several place names) meaning roughly "John's town.".
How do you pronounce “Johnston”?
“Johnston” is pronounced JON-stuhn (/ˈd͡ʒɑn.stən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Johnston” in a sentence?
Here is “Johnston” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother's maiden name was Johnston.”
What part of speech is “Johnston”?
“Johnston” is a name.
Is “Johnston” a common word?
“Johnston” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Johnston” have?
“Johnston” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a Scottish surname, originally referring to someone from a place in Dumfriesshire whose name meant "John's town.".
What is the difference between Johnston and Johnson?
Johnston is a Scottish surname originally meaning "John's town," referring to a place in Dumfriesshire, while Johnson is an English surname meaning "son of John." Despite their similar sound, the two names have distinct origins—one a place name, the other a patronymic.
Is Johnston only a surname or also a place name?
Johnston is both a surname and a place name. It originated as a Scottish place name in Dumfriesshire and is also used as a name for several towns and communities in the United States, Wales, and Australia.
Where does the name Johnston come from?
Johnston comes from Scotland, originally referring to someone from a place in Dumfriesshire whose name meant "John's town." It later spread and was reused as a place name in other English-speaking countries.
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