Brownson is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Carleton Lewis Brownson (1866–1948), American educator
Charles B. Brownson (1914-1988), American politician
Derry Brownson (born 1970), English musician
James I. Brownson (1817–1899), American clergyman and academic
John W. Brownson (1807-1860), American politician
John W. Brownson (Wisconsin politician), (1842-?), American politician
Mark Brownson (born 1975), American baseball player
Nathan Brownson (1742–1796), American physician and politician
Oliver Brownson (1746–1815), American composer and publisher
Orestes Brownson (1803–1876), American philosopher and writer
Sarah Brownson (1839–1876), American writer
Willard H. Brownson (1845–1935), American naval admiral