The name Wilson is an English given name derived from the surname Wilson, which is itself derived from the Old English words "will" and "sun", meaning "son of Will" or "son of William". The name originated in England during the Middle Ages, likely as a way to identify the son of a person named William or Will.

In terms of historical references, the name Wilson is not found in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it does appear in various historical records and documents from the medieval period onwards, particularly in England and other English-speaking regions.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wilson as a given name dates back to the late 16th century. A notable figure from this time period is Wilson Raleigh, an English author and poet who lived from around 1551 to 1622.

In the 17th century, the name Wilson gained some prominence with individuals like Wilson Cary (1594-1677), an English politician and member of Parliament during the English Civil War. Another notable figure from this era is Wilson Higginson (1631-1670), an English theologian and author.

The 18th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals with the name Wilson, including Wilson Ritchie (1713-1783), a Scottish philosopher and academic, and Wilson Hogarth (1697-1764), an English painter and engraver known for his satirical works.

In the 19th century, the name Wilson continued to be used, with individuals such as Wilson Peel (1823-1891), a British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Wilson Stevenson (1838-1905), a Scottish-American inventor and engineer who helped develop the modern lighthouse lens system.

Other notable figures with the name Wilson include Wilson Pickett (1941-2006), an American singer and songwriter known as a pioneer of soul music, and Wilson Keppel (1925-1994), a British actor and comedian who appeared in numerous films and television shows.