Show ContentsHodgeson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the name Hodgeson are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name for Roger,which was originally derived from the nickname Hodge. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Hodgeson family

The surname Hodgeson was first found in Northumberland where "this name in the North of England is pronounced Hodgin, while in the South it has taken not only the pronunciation, but the spelling, of Hodson or Hudson. The name of Hodgson is ancient at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, being found in records of temp. Edward I., and the Hodgsons of Stella and Acton, co. Northumberland, trace a clear pedigree to 1424." [1]

"The Hodgsons are at present most numerous in this county and in the adjacent parts of Yorkshire. As far back as the 15th century they were more numerous in Northumberland than they are at present." [2]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes Hodgeson; and Johannes Hojegeson. [3]

Early History of the Hodgeson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodgeson research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1611, 1616, 1620, 1624, 1640, 1642, 1645, 1648, 1672, 1684, 1703, 1733, 1755 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Hodgeson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hodgeson Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hodgeson has been spelled many different ways, including Hodgson, Hodson, Hodsdon and others.

Early Notables of the Hodgeson family

Notables of this surname at this time include: James Hodgson, of Cark who was listed in the Lancashire Wills at Richmond in 1591. The same source lists John Hodgeshon of Caton in 1616; and Cuthbert Hodgshon in 1611. [3]James Hodgson (1672-1755), was an English mathematical teacher and writer. In 1703 he was elected fellow, and in 1733 one of the council, of the Royal Society. [4]John Hodgson (d. 1684), was an English autobiographer, a Yorkshire gentleman, who resided near Halifax, took up arms on the side of the...
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hodgeson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hodgeson family to Ireland

Some of the Hodgeson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hodgeson migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hodgesons to arrive in North America:

Hodgeson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Hodgeson, who landed in Maryland in 1668 [5]
  • Joshua Hodgeson, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 [5]
  • Elizabeth Hodgeson, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 [5]
  • Job Hodgeson, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 [5]
  • Izabell Hodgeson, who landed in Maryland in 1678 [5]


The Hodgeson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Miseris succurrere disco
Motto Translation: I learn to succour the distressed.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. 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)


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