Show ContentsHensman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The saga of the name Hensman follows a line reaching back through history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for someone who worked as a groom, squire, or page. The surname Hensman is derived from the Old English words hengest, which means stallion, and mann, which means groom or servant. The latter word acquired its meaning of squire or page of honor in later times, in other words "an attendant upon a nobleman or personage of high distinction." 1

Early Origins of the Hensman family

The surname Hensman was first found in Northamptonshire near Seagrove, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Hensman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hensman research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1669, 1675, 1684, 1691, 1694, 1702 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Hensman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hensman Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hensman were recorded, including Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.

Early Notables of the Hensman family

Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Henchman (1592-1675), who was Bishop of Salisbury and later of London. He was "the third son of Thomas Henchman, skinner, of the city of London, by his wife Anne Griffiths, daughter of Robert Griffiths of Carnarvon, was born at Barton Seagrove, Northamptonshire, in the house of Owen Owens, the rector of the parish, whose wife...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hensman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hensman migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hensman family emigrate to North America:

Hensman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Charles Henry Hensman, aged 49, who immigrated to the United States from Orton, England, in 1907
  • Miss K. Hensman, who landed in America, in 1907
  • Marjorie Kate Hensman, aged 19, who immigrated to America from Northampton, England, in 1913
  • Peter Hensman, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States, in 1920
  • William Hensman, aged 36, who landed in America, in 1921
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Hensman migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hensman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Hensman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1846 2

West Indies Hensman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 3
Hensman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Richard Hensman, who settled in Barbados in 1664

Contemporary Notables of the name Hensman (post 1700) +

  • Donald "Don" Hensman (1924-2002), American architect, co-founder of Buff, Smith and Hensman
  • Robert Hensman (b. 1952), American professional football player
  • Alfred Peach Hensman (1834-1902), English-born barrister and judge, Attorney-General of Western Australia in 1882
  • David "Dave" John Hensman (1962-2011), Canadian Christian singer-songwriter, minister and businessperson
  • John Hensman, 19th century British clergyman


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CANTON 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Canton.htm
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies


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