Johnston is in most cases a habitational surname derived from several places in Scotland. Historically, the surname has been most common throughout Scotland and Ireland.
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".
People with the surname Johnston
A–E
Alan Johnston (born 1962), BBC correspondent
Albert Johnston (rugby league) (1891–1961), Australian rugby league footballer
Albert Sidney Johnston (1803–1862), Texian, American, and Confederate general
Alexander Johnston (disambiguation), several people
Andrew Johnston (disambiguation), several people
Andrew Galbraith Johnston (died 1886), brewer of Oakbank, South Australia
Anthony Johnston (disambiguation), several people
Arnrid Johnston (1895–1972), Swedish sculptor and illustrator
Arthur Johnston (poet) (1587–1641), Scottish physician and poet
Arthur Johnston (fl. 1877), British bell maker with Gillett & Johnston
Arthur Johnston (composer) (1898–1954), American composer and songwriter
Arthur Lawson Johnston, 3rd Baron Luke (1933–2015), British peer
Arthur Johnston (politician) (born 1947), Canadian politician, member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Ben Johnston (disambiguation) Bertie Johnston (1880–1942), known as Edward Johnston, Australian politician Bill Johnston (disambiguation), several people Bob Johnston (disambiguation), several people Brian Johnston (1912–1994), British broadcaster and cricket commentator Brian Johnston (rugby league), Australian professional rugby league footballer and administrator Cameron Johnston (American football), Australian-born American football punter Charles Johnston (disambiguation), several people, including Christina Johnston (born 1987), British operatic soprano Clay Johnston (disambiguation), several people Clyde M. Johnston, American politician from Wisconsin Dale Johnston (curler), Canadian curler Daniel Johnston (1961–2019), musician Daryl Johnston (born 1966), American football fullback, nicknamed "Moose" David Johnston (disambiguation), several people Denis Johnston (1901–1984), Irish playwright Dick Johnston (1863–1984), American baseball player Donald James Johnston, former Canadian politician and the Secretary General of the OECD Edward Johnston (disambiguation), several people, including Elmer E. Johnston (1898–1985), American politician
F–L
Fergus Johnston (born 1959), Irish composer
Francis Earl Johnston, commander of 1st NZ Infantry Brigade, World War 1
General Washington Johnston (1776–1833), American lawyer and politician
George Johnston (disambiguation), several people
Gerald MacIntosh Johnston, Canadian Broadway stage actor
Greg Johnston (rower) (born 1959), New Zealand Olympic rower
Harold I. Johnston, American Medal of Honor recipient
Harry Johnston (disambiguation), several people
Hunter Johnston (born 1980), American professional wrestler, known as Delirious
Isabel Marion Weir Johnston, pioneering woman student
Ivan Murray Johnston (1898–1960), American botanist
James Johnston (disambiguation) Jenifer Johnston, Scottish journalist Jennifer Johnston (disambiguation) Jerry Johnston (born 1959), American clergyman Joe Johnston (born 1950), American film director John S. Johnston (c.1839–1899), American maritime photographer John W. Johnston (1818–1889), American lawyer and politician Joseph E. Johnston, American and Confederate general Julanne Johnston (1900–1988), American actress Julie Johnston (born 1992), maiden name of American soccer player Julie Ertz Ken Johnston (journalist), Northern Irish journalist and broadcaster Kristen Johnston, American actress Larry Johnston, NHL ice hockey player Levi Johnston, American model and entertainer Luke Johnston (born 1993), Scottish footballer Lynn Johnston, Canadian cartoonist