History of your Surname
Get access to Dottson family records.Start a free trial

Dottson Family History

Dottson Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Dotson, Cotton, Ditton, Dutton, Dotts, Dorton, Dobson, Ottoson

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Dottson family from?

You can see how Dottson families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dottson family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1840 and 1920. The most Dottson families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 3 Dottson families living in Kentucky. This was about 60% of all the recorded Dottson's in USA. Kentucky had the highest population of Dottson families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dottson surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Dottson ancestors do for a living?

Census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your Dottson ancestors, such as occupation. Occupation can tell you about your ancestor's social and economic status.

What Dottson family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 528 census records available for the last name Dottson. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dottson census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Dottson

Passenger Lists

There are 20 immigration records available for the last name Dottson. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Dottson immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 57 military records available for the last name Dottson. For the veterans among your Dottson ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dottson military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dottson family history

Discover More

What is the average Dottson lifespan?

Between 1966 and 1998, in the United States, Dottson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1970, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Dottson in 1966 was 69, and 62 in 1998.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dottson

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dottson family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Dottson last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial