The surname Johnston is of English and Scottish origin.
Historically, it has roots tracing back to medieval Northern England where it appeared as both a locational and occupational surname. Families with this name were often found in Yorkshire and Northumberland.
The name gained prominence due to the notable Johnstons residing near the River Tweed, who had a significant role during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The name emerged at the same time as the Anglo-Scottish border was being drawn and is why it is so closely associated with the border region.
Over time, the Johnston surname has evolved, leading to the establishment of notable lineages, including connections to the Scottish clan of Johnstone. In modern times, Johnston remains largely in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and Canada.
Etymology This surname is derived from the genitive case of the given name John and tone or toun ("settlement" in Middle English, literally meaning "John's town". Johnston is derived from the given name John combined with the suffix -ton, which means town or settlement. Thus, Johnston essentially means John's town or settlement of John. This naming convention was common in England, where surnames often reflected geographical origins or notable features of a location. As such, Johnston signifies a link to a place associated with an individual named John, highlighting the historical practice of naming settlements after prominent figures within a community.
People with the surname Johnston A A. J. B. Johnston (living), Canadian novelist Aaron Johnston (writer) (born 1950), American science-fiction author Aaron Johnston (basketball) (born 1974), American basketball coach Aaron Johnston (co-driver) (born 1995), Irish rally co-driver Abigail Johnston (born 1989), American Olympic diver Adrian Johnston (musician) (born 1961), British musician Adrian Johnston (philosopher) (born 1974), American philosopher Agnes Christine Johnston (1896–1978), American screenwriter Al Johnston (born 1932), Scottish-Canadian professional golfer Alan Johnston (disambiguation), several people Alastair Johnston (born 1948), British businessman Albert Johnston (rugby league) (1891–1961), Australian rugby league footballer Albert C. Johnston (c.1900–1988), American doctor Albert Sidney Johnston (1803–1862), Texian, American, and Confederate general Alex Johnston (Australian rules footballer) (1881–1965), Australian rules footballer Alex Johnston (rugby league) (born 1995), Australia & PNG international rugby league footballer Alexa Johnston (born 1953), New Zealand author, art curator and historian Alexander Johnston (disambiguation), several people Alistair Johnston (born 1998), Canadian soccer player Allan Johnston (disambiguation), several people Allen Johnston (1912–2002), Archbishop of New Zealand Allister Johnston (1908–2005), Canadian politician Alva Johnston (disambiguation), several people Alva Johnston (journalist) (1888–1950), American journalist Alva Johnston (politician) (1872–1953), American politician from Nebraska Alvanley Johnston (1875–1951), American labor leader Alvin M. Johnston (1914–1998), American test pilot Amanda Johnston (born 1977), American poet Amy Johnston (actress) (1954–2021), American actress and drama coach Amy Johnston (dentist) (1872–1908), New Zealand dentist Andrew Johnston (disambiguation), several people Andrew Galbraith Johnston (died 1886), brewer of Oakbank, South Australia Ann Johnston (American politician) (living), American politician Ann Johnston (figure skater) (1936–2022), Canadian figure skater Anna Johnston (doctor) (born 1976), Australian hematologist Anne Johnston (1932–2019), Canadian politician Annie Fellows Johnston (1863–1931), American novelist Anthony Johnston (footballer) (1917–1993), Scottish footballer Antony Johnston (born 1972), British writer Archibald Johnston (disambiguation), several people Arnrid Johnston (1895–1972), Swedish sculptor and illustrator Arthur Johnston (disambiguation), several people Ashley Johnston (born 1992), Canadian ice hockey defender Atina Johnston (born 1971), Canadian curler and Olympic gold medalist Aubrey Johnston (1882–1960), Australian cricketer Augustus Johnston (c. 1729–1790), American lawyer Aviaq Johnston (born 1992), Canadian Inuk writer from Igloolik
B B.A. Johnston (living), Canadian musician Barry Johnston (footballer) (born 1980), Irish footballer Barry Johnston (writer) (born 1949), writer and producer Basil H. Johnston (1929–2015), Canadian writer Becky Johnston (living), American screenwriter Ben Johnston (disambiguation), several people Bernie Johnston (born 1956), Canadian ice hockey player Berry Johnston (born 1935), American poker player Bert Johnston (footballer) (1909–1968), Scottish footballer Bertie Johnston (1880–1942), aka Edward Bertram Johnston, Australian politician Betty Johnston (1916–1994), aka Betty Joan Johnston, aka Lady Johnston, British educational administrator and parliamentary counsel Bill Johnston (disambiguation), several people Bob Johnston (disambiguation), several people Bobby Johnston (born 1967), American composer Brian Johnston (disambiguation) several people Brittany Johnston (born 1986), American professional golfer Bruce Johnston (born 1942), American musician Bruce Johnston (criminal) (1939–2002), aka Bruce Alfred Johnston Sr., American gangster and murderer
C C. B. Johnston (c. 1895–after 1933), American athlete, coach and college athletics administrator C.B. "Bud" Johnston (1931–2003), Canadian business scholar Caitlan Johnston (born 2001), Australia international rugby league footballer Cameron Johnston (American football) (born 1992), Australian sportsman Cameron Johnston (wrestler) (born 1970), Australian wrestler Carl Johnston (born 2002), association football player from Northern Ireland Carol Johnston (1958–2019), North American one-armed gymnast Carol A. Johnston (living), American ecologist Casey Johnston (born 1987), American writer and influencer Catharine Johnston (1794–1871), British botanical and scientific illustrator Census Johnston (born 1981), rugby player Chad Johnston (living), NASCAR crew chief Charles Johnston (disambiguation), several people, including Charlie Johnston (Australian footballer) (1875–1950), Australian rules footballer Charlie Johnston (Scottish footballer) (1911–1991), Scottish footballer Chesley Johnston (1870–1942), American football coach Chris Johnston (footballer) (born 1994), Scottish footballer Christina Johnston (living), English soprano Christine Johnston (sailor) (born 1975), British windsurfer Christine Johnston (writer) (born 1950), New Zealand writer Christopher Johnston (1822-1891) (1822–1891), American surgeon and researcher Christopher Johnston (Assyriologist) (1856–1914), American physician and historian Claire Johnston (bowls) (born 1979), Scottish bowls player Claire Johnston (film theorist) (1940–1987), British feminist film theoretician Claire Johnston (musician) (born 1967), musical artist Clarence Johnston (jazz drummer) (1924–2018), American jazz musician Clarence H. Johnston Sr. (1859–1936), American architect Clarissa Johnston (born 1990), South African synchronized swimmer Clay Johnston (academic) (living), American medical researcher Clay Johnston (American football) (born 1996), American football player Clive Johnston (1925–1991), Australian cricketer Clyde M. Johnston, American politician from Wisconsin Collins H. Johnston (1859–1936), American football player, medical doctor, surgeon, and civic leader Conor Johnston (born 1994), Irish hurler Courtney Johnston (born c. 1978), Chief executive of Te Papa museum Craig Johnston (born 1960), Australian soccer player Curtis Johnston (born 2000), Australian rugby league footballer Cynthia Johnston (born 1968), Canadian basketball player
D D.D. Johnston (born 1979), Scottish novelist D. T. Johnston (1889–1953), Australian sportsman and local politician Dale Johnston (born 1941), Canadian politician Dale Johnston (curler) (living), Canadian male curler Dan Johnston (politician) (1938–2016), American politician and lawyer Daniel Johnston (disambiguation), several people Daryl Johnston (born 1966), American football player and executive Dave Johnston (living), American banjo player for Yonder Mountain String Band Dave Johnston (police officer) (living), British police chief David Johnston, several people Davie Johnston (footballer, born 1942) (1942–2004), Scottish footballer Davie Johnston (footballer, born 1948) (born 1948), Scottish footballer Dawn Marie Johnston (born c. 1948), American professional wrestler Denis Johnston (1901–1984), Irish playwright Denvour Johnston (living), New Zealand rugby league footballer Dick Johnston (1863–1934), American baseball player Dick Johnston (journalist) (1919–2008), Canadian sports journalist Doc Johnston (1887–1961), American baseball player Don Johnston (1936–2022), Canadian economist, lawyer and politician Don Johnston (swimmer) (1929–2018), South African swimmer Donald Johnston (disambiguation), several people Dorothy Johnston (born 1948), Australian author Douglas Johnston, Lord Johnston (1907–1985), British politician Douglas H. Johnston (1856–1939), Governor of the Chicksaw Nation Duncan Johnston (1847–1931), Scottish Royal Engineers officer Duncan Johnston (songwriter) (1881–1947), Scottish songwriter
E E. K. Johnston (living), Canadian novelist and forensic archaeologist Eddie Johnston (born 1935), Canadian ice hockey goaltender Edgar Johnston (1896–1988), Australian flying ace Edward Johnston (disambiguation), several people Elizabeth Bryant Johnston (1833–1907), American author Elizabeth Johnston Evans Johnston (1851–1934), American philanthropist and social worker Ellen Johnston (c. 1835–1874), Scottish power-loom weaver and poet Ellie Johnston (cricketer) (born 2003), Australian cricketeer Ellie Johnston (rugby league) (born 2000), Australian rugby league footballer Elliott Johnston (1918–2011), Australian judge Elmer E. Johnston (1898–1985), American politician Emma Johnston (1973–2025), Australian marine ecologist Emma-Louise Johnston (living), British television presenter Emma Verona Johnston (1890–2004), American supercentenarian Eric Johnston (disambiguation), several people Erle Johnston (1917–1995), public figure in Mississippi, United States Ethan Johnston (born 2002), English footballer Euphemia Johnston (1824–?), Scottish nurse Eva Johnston (1865–1941), American archeologist, glass expert Ezekiel Johnston (1871–1942), Irish footballer
F Fergus Johnston (born 1959), Irish composer Fiona Johnston (born 1966), British rower Forbes Johnston (1971–2007), Scottish footballer Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864–1952), American photographer, photojournalist Frances Cashel Hoey (1830–1908), Irish novelist, journalist and translator Francis Jonhston (disambiguation), several people Frank Johnston (artist) (1888–1949), Canadian artist Frank Johnston (politician) (1929–2017), Canadian politician Frank Johnston (priest) (1930–2023), Anglican priest and military chaplain Frank Johnston (rugby league) (fl. 1930's), Australian rugby league footballer Fred Johnston (baseball) (1899–1959), American baseball player Fred Johnston (writer) (1951–2024), Irish writer Frederick Johnston (disambiguation), several people Freddy Johnston (1935–2022), Scottish journalist Freedy Johnston (born 1961), American singer-songwriter
G Gabriel Johnston (1699–1752), Governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752 Gary Johnston (born 1941), Australian rules footballer Gary W. Johnston (1964–2022), US Army general General Washington Johnston (1776–1833), American politician Geoff Johnston (1944–2025), English Church of England priest George Johnston (disambiguation), several people Gerald Johnston (1891–1968), Australian rules footballer