Meaning: Its source is Ann, an English name meaning "Grace."

Narrative: Anson literally means ''Ann's son,'' and is one of a few family names derived from a female personal name. Other examples of this unusual phenomenon include Alison (''Alice's son'') and Madison (''Madde's or Madeline's son'').

Such matronynmic surnames were sometimes used when a mother or grandmother was the primary property-holder of a family.