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DEREK (m) Low German short form of THEODORIC
THEODORIC (m) "ruler of the people" from Germanic theud "people" and ric "power". Theodoric the Great was a 6th-century king of the Ostrogoths who eventually became the ruler of Italy.
History of the surname Watson
The distinguished surname Watson is one of the most notable Anglo/Saxon surnames, and its historical trail has emerged from the mists of time to become an influential surname of the middle ages and of the present day.
In an in-depth research of such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 A.D. and various others, researchers the first record of the name Watson in the county of Rutland, where they were Lords of the manor of Rockingham.
Confusing to most, many different spellings were found in the archives researched. The name Watson occurred in many manuscripts, but from time to time the surname was also spelt Watson, Wattson, Walterson, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Many reasons were revealed for these spelling variations but mainly it was spelt as it was told to them.
The family name Watson is one of the most notable of the ancient Anglo/Saxon race. This founding race of England, a fair skinned people led by the Saxon General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa, settled in Kent from about the year 400 A.D.
The family name Watson emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Rutland where they erected Rockingham Castle. In England they branched to Yorkshire at Pickering, to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, into Shropshire. By 1392 they had moved north into Scotland where John Watson held lands in Edinburghshire. By 1450 they held the lands of Applegate in Arbroath. Meanwhile in England they were elevated to the Barons Rockingham, the Earls of Rockingham, and the Barons Sondes. In Scotland the Watsons were represented by Sir Donald Watson in 1493, and the name was frequently abbreviated to Watt. Many Watsons sat in Scottish Parliament from 1593 to 1685.
For the next two or three centuries bearers of the surname Watson flourished and played a significant role in the political development of England. Kinsmen of the family name Watson were amongst the many who sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic.
Principal amongst the settlers which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Watson, or a variable spelling of that family name was John Watson who settled in Virginia in 1620, the same year as the "Mayflower"; Abraham, Alice, Elizabeth, Francis, Joe, Margaret, and William Watson, all settled in Virginia in 1635; George Watson settled in Georgia in 1775 with his wife and four children.
20th century notables of this surname, Watson, include many distinguished persons, Baron Manton; Alan Watson, Head of European Television; Admiral Bertram Watson; Captain Sir Derek Watson; Sir Francis Watson; General Gilbert Watson; General Henry Watson; Professor James Watson, Psychiatry; Sir Stephen Watson; Professor William Watson, Chinese Art; and many more.
During the course of research the most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was:
English; Silver on a blue chevron three gold crescents between three birds; Scottish; Silver an oak tree growing out of a mount surmounted by a blue stripe.
The Crest was:
English; A griffin's head; Scottish; Two hands holding the trunk of an oak tree.
The ancient family Motto for this distinguished name was:
English; "Mea Gloria Fides"; Scottish; "Ad Littora Tendo"
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