Johnson's rising importance in surrounding area? (7)
I believe the answer is:
etonian
'johnson's' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'rising importance in surrounding area?' is the wordplay.
'rising' says the letters should be written in reverse (going up in a down clue).
'importance' becomes 'note' (I've seen this in another clue).
'surrounding' is an insertion indicator.
'note' written backwards gives 'eton'.
'in' enclosing 'a' is 'ian'.
'eton'+'ian'='ETONIAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for etonian that I've seen before include "Public school boy" , "Pupil at posh English school" , "student in establishment?" , "Public school pupil" , "Relating to one particular school" .)