Save Type Surname (from given name) Usage English Pronounced Pron. EHM-ər-sən [key·IPA] Expand LinksMeaning & History Means "son of EMERY". The surname was borne by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American writer and philosopher who wrote about transcendentalism. DetailsRelated Names Other Languages & CulturesAmerighi(Italian) Given Name DescendantsEmerson, Emersyn, Emmerson(English) Entry updated November 16, 2019 ·