The surname Johnston is of Scottish origin, derived from the genitive case of the personal name Johnston (a variant of John)and Middle English "ton" or "toun, " meaning "town" or "settlement. " This toponymic surname is most commonly associated with places in Scotland, particularly Annandale in Dumfriesshire. Over time, the name has spread to Ireland and other parts of the world due to historical migrations and colonization. It also symbolizes the enduring nature of family names across generations.
