Brownson is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
- Callie Brownson, American football coach
- Carleton Lewis Brownson (1866–1948), American educator
- Charles B. Brownson (1914-1988), American politician
- Derry Brownson, English musician
- Deborah Brownson, British autism campaigner
- Helen Brownson (1917–2017), American information scientist
- James I. Brownson (1817–1899), American clergyman and academic
- John W. Brownson (1807-1860), American politician
- John W. Brownson, (1842-?), American politician
- Mark Brownson (1975-2017), 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
- Robert Brownson (1922–1975), American football and basketball coach
- Sarah Brownson (1839–1876), American writer
- Willard H. Brownson (1845–1935), American naval admiral
