The name Payson is an English surname that originated as a masculine given name. It is derived from the Old English word "paien" or "pahien," meaning "pagan" or "heathen." The name was likely initially used to refer to individuals who were not Christian or those who had recently converted to Christianity.

In the Middle Ages, the name Payson gained popularity in England and was often given to children born into Christian families as a symbol of their faith and rejection of pagan beliefs. The earliest recorded use of the name Payson dates back to the late 12th century in England.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Payson was Sir Payson de Beauchamp, a 13th-century English knight who served under King Edward I. In the 14th century, a Payson de Littlebury was mentioned in historical records as a landowner in Essex, England.

During the Reformation period in the 16th century, the name Payson became associated with Protestantism and was adopted by Puritan families in England. One notable bearer of the name was Payson Williston, an English Puritan minister who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s.

In the 17th century, the name Payson was brought to America by Puritan settlers from England. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Edward Payson (1783-1827), an influential American Congregationalist minister and preacher known for his powerful sermons and eloquent writing.

Other notable individuals named Payson throughout history include Payson Usher (1786-1866), an American lawyer and politician who served as the 27th Governor of New Hampshire, and Payson Terhune (1857-1942), an American novelist and author of numerous books and short stories, particularly those featuring collies and other dogs.