Jam?son Surname Definitions, Origns and Usage

The surname Jam?son is traditionally considered to be of Scottish origin and from a time before the Scots used surnames. Jameson, or the variations on this spelling (Jamison, Jamieson, Jamyson, Jemyson, Jamerson, Jemerson, Jimmerson, etc.), is the English translation of the Gaelic word MacKames or Machamish. The 'Mac' prefix meaning 'son of.' Kames or -hamish which in Gaelic is James, therefore son of James or Jameson. Alternately Maccamie, Mckkamy, Mackimmie, Macimmie and other variations meaning 'son of' Jamie were the root. Who the actual 'James' or 'Jamie' in the name, or the original untranslated version of same, is not actually known, although is can be assumed to be someone important, perhaps a clan chief or elder.