Donaldson is a surname of Scottish origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word 'donsel', which means 'servant'. The 'don' part of the name comes from the Old English word 'ðeorn', meaning 'thorn bush' or 'thicket'.
The name Donaldson was originally given to a servant who worked for someone with the surname Donald. Over time, the name became hereditary and was passed down through generations.
There are several notable people with the surname Donaldson throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances is Alexander Donaldson, a Scottish printer and publisher who was born in the late 18th century. He is known for his role in the famous legal battle over copyright law, the "Donaldson v. Beckett" case.
In more recent times, some well-known people with the surname Donaldson include American actor Brad Pitt's father, William Arthur "Bill" Donaldson II; Scottish footballer Kenny Miller; and Australian politician Michael Donaldson.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the given name Donaldson in the United States from 1915 to 2004 (with a gap between 1967 and 1971, and after 1982). The data spans several decades, offering insight into the popularity trends of this particular name.
The peak years for births with the name Donaldson occurred in the mid-1920s to early 1930s. During these years, there were consistently around seven births each year: 1924 (7 births), 1925 (7 births), and again in 1928 (7 births) and 1937 (7 births). This suggests that the name Donaldson was relatively popular during this period.
However, after the late 1930s, there is a noticeable decline in the number of annual births with the name Donaldson. The yearly count ranges from five to six births between 1942 and 1972, indicating a reduction in popularity for the name over time.
Interestingly, there is another peak in the late 1960s: 1964 saw eight births with the name Donaldson, which was higher than any other year since the early 1930s. However, this spike appears to be an exception, as the popularity of the name declined again shortly thereafter.
In total, there were 122 births with the name Donaldson recorded between 1915 and 2004 in the United States. This data can provide insight into naming trends over time but should be considered within a broader context for more comprehensive analysis.