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Isaacson Name Meaning and History
Patronymic from Isaac; this is both a Jewish and English form but has probably also assimilated cognate names from other languages as well. If someone was Izaakson in Germany (or Izakson in Norway), they might well spell it Isaacson when they came to the US. The derivation of the name is not certain; it has traditionally been connected with the Hebrew verb meaning “to laugh”. In the Middle Ages it seems to have been borne only by Jews, but it was taken up by the Puritans in the 17th century and has continued in use since then among Christians in the English-speaking world, although it is still more common among Jews. First found in Devon, UK, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1966 A.D. Early examples of the surname include: Henry Isaac (Worcestershire, 1275) and Walter Isak (Somerset, 1327). A Coat of Arms granted to the Isaac family of Devonshire in the reign of Henry 111 (1216 - 1272) is a shield divided per pale azure and purple with a gold cross flory. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes Isaak, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Norfolk", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307.