Contents [hide]

Hanson History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Hanson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Denmark
England
Germany
Ireland
Norway
Russia

Hanson is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name for the "son of Henry," or "the son of Heyn." 1

"There are few traces of the name in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. The large business done between the English and Low Countries in the 14th century, however, made the foreign forms familiar, especially in counties like Yorkshire." 1

Early Origins of the Hanson family

The surname Hanson was first found in Yorkshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Adam Hanneson; Robertus Hanson; Willelmus Hanson; Johanna Hanson, wyf (wife); and Johannes Hanneson as all holding lands there at that time. 1

The Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire listed John Handson there in 1327 and later William Hondesone was listed in the Subsidy Roll for Staffordshire in 1332. John Hanson was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland (Cumbria) in 1332 and in Lancashire, Ralph Hanneson was found there in 1350. 2

"The Hansons have for a long time resided in the parish of Halifax. A rector of Thornton two centuries ago bore this name. Richard Hanson, who was three times mayor of Hull in the reign of Henry VI., died heroically at the battle of Wakefield in 1460. Captain Hanson, who was taken prisoner in the same battle, was executed at Pontefract." 3

Early History of the Hanson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hanson research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1603, 1604, 1611, 1630, 1641, 1658 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Hanson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hanson Spelling Variations

Hanson has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Hanson have been found, including Hanson, Hansom and others.

Early Notables of the Hanson family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Hanson (fl. 1604), English poet, who proceeded B.A. from Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1603-1604." He was author of a very rare volume of verse, entitled 'Time is a Turn-coate, or England's Threefold...
Another John Hanson, born in 1611, was son of Richard Hanson, 'minister of Henley, Staffordshire,' and entered Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1630, aged 19. Some years later a John Hanson of Abingdon, B...

Hanson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hanson is the 244^th most popular surname with an estimated 106,941 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Hanson is ranked the 449^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,605 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Hanson is the 568^th popular surname with an estimated 6,772 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Hanson as 637^th with 1,124 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Hanson as 493^rd with 13,105 people. 8

Hanson migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hansons to arrive on North American shores:

Hanson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Wybra Hanson, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633 9
Tho Hanson, who arrived in Virginia in 1656 9
Margaret Hanson, who arrived in Maryland in 1658 9
Andrew Hanson, who landed in Maryland in 1658 9
Anibeck Hanson, who arrived in Maryland in 1658 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Godfried Hanson, who landed in New York in 1715 9
William Hanson, who arrived in New York in 1789 9

Hanson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jonathan Hanson, who landed in New York, NY in 1837 9
Ole H Hanson, who arrived in illinois in 1839 9
Thomas Hanson, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1840 9
Joseph Hanson, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1842 9
Robert Hanson, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1844 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Maria Hanson, who arrived in Colorado in 1907 9
Hans Peder Hanson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1909 9
Ed Hanson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1912 9
John Oscar Hanson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1912 9
Tom Hanson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1914 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hanson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Thomas Hanson, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "William" from Kinsale, Ireland

Hanson migration to Australia +

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

Hanson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Hanson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
William Hanson, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Hanson, British convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. William Hanson, British convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. Joseph Hanson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hanson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

R.D. Hanson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cuba" in 1840
Mr. William Hanson, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1858 14
Miss E. Hanson, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 14
Mrs. Catherine Hanson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 14
Miss Elizabeth Hanson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanson 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. 15

Hanson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Jo Hanson, aged 27, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 9
Samuel Hanson, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Contemporary Notables of the name Hanson (post 1700) +

Lyle L. Hanson (1935-2020), American politician, Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives (1979-2013)
Carol G. Hanson (1934-2017), American politician, Mayor of Boca Raton, Florida (1995-2001)
George Hanson (1935-2016), American basketball coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the 1970-71 season
Curtis Lee Hanson (1945-2016), American film director, producer, and screenwriter
Walter Hanson, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1952 16
Victor H. Hanson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1924 16
Victor Hanson, American Republican politician, Member of Colorado State House of Representatives, 1950; Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 1956, 1960, 1964 16
T. Ross Hanson, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Philadelphia County, 1883-84 16
Thomas S. Hanson, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly 81st District; Elected 1974 16
Sylvester Hanson, American Republican politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly from Walworth County, 1862 16
... (Another 123 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hanson family +

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Samuel Hanson, American 2nd Class passenger from Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 17
Mrs. Mary Hanson, American 2nd Class passenger from Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 17

St. Francis Dam

Mrs. Ellen "Neillie" White Hanson, (nee Dixon), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/