This interesting patronymic name is English in origin and derives from 'Eda', a Middle English short form of the female given name Edith, from the Olde English 'Eadgyo which means 'prosperity battle'. Edson would thus be, 'son of Eda'. Although in this form the name is now obsolete, it was common until the late 17th Century. The dialectual variants of this name are many, eg. Ead, Ede, Eadie, Ead(e)s, Eddison, Eason and Edkins. An early recording of this name in Warwickshire is the christening of one Elizabeth Edson in Fillongley in 1562. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Eddesone, which was dated 1314 Assize Rolls Staffordshire, during the reign of King Edward II (1307 - 1327) Edward of Caernafon. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.