The name Frederick Watson, or Fred Watson, is shared by several notable historical and contemporary figures spanning various professions. Among the earliest is Frederick Beilby Watson (1773–1852), who served as a British courtier. In the field of visual arts, Frederick Watson achieved recognition as a Canadian fashion illustrator and painter. The name is also prominent in the scientific community through Fred Watson (born 1944), an English-born astronomer and popular scientist who established his career in Australia. In sports, the name is associated with two early twentieth-century athletes: Fred Watson (1882–1968), an Australian rules footballer, and Fred Watson (1888–1917), a Scottish footballer. Additionally, Frederick Watson was utilized as a creative pseudonym by John Leslie (1945–2010), an American actor, director, and producer.
