| ![Show Contents]() Herdson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The saga of the name Herdson 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 guardian of cattle or sheep. The surname Herdson is derived from the Old English word hierde, which means herd, and the patronymic suffix -son. Thus, the name Herdson literally means "son of the herdsman." 1 Early Origins of the Herdson familyThe surname Herdson was first found in Lancashire, on the west coast near Lythom-St. Annes, where they were associated with Furness Abbey. They were a prominent family here from very early times. In Essex, Robert Herdesman was listed at Colchester in 1367. 2 Early History of the Herdson familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herdson research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1621, 1649, 1651, 1660 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Herdson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Herdson Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Herdson were recorded, including Herdson, Hirdson, Heardson, Hurdson, Herson and others. Early Notables of the Herdson familyDistinguished members of the family include - Henry Herdson (fl. 1651), English writer on mnemonics, probably received part of his education at Cambridge, as he terms that university his 'dearest mother.' He styled himself professor of the art of...
- Dunstan's-in-the-East, Herdson told him in the vestry, before credible people, that he, in Sidney College, Cambridge, had taught him the art of memory, but the doctor denied that he had seen Herdson b...
Migration of the Herdson familyTo 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 Herdson family emigrate to North America: Sarah Herson, who sailed to New York in 1820.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Herdson (post 1700) | + |
- Peter B Herdson, Australian Forensic Pathologist in Canberra
- Mary Lou Herdson, New Zealand Clinical Senior Lecturer of Medical & Health Sciences at the University of Auckland
- 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)
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