Hudsen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The rich and ancient history of the Hudsen family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the name Hudd, a pet form of both Hugh and Richard. 1 2 The surname Hudsen features the patronymic suffix -son, which was most common in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes in popularity during the 14th century.

Early Origins of the Hudsen family

The surname Hudsen was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was John Hudsone, Hutson who was listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1323. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes Hudson; Johannes Hudeson; and Adam Huddeson. 2

There are numerous entries for the name further north in Scotland. One of the first on record there was James Hudson, a charter witness in Kelso in 1466. John Hudsone and Willie Hutson were tenants on land of the Abbey of Kelso in 1567. 4

The castle of Woodcroft in Etton, Northampton was the scene of a rather gruesome event of one of the family. "Castle Woodcroft, is said to have been the scene of the murder of Dr. Hudson, chaplain of Charles I, who was forced over the battlements by the parliamentarian forces stationed here, who, hacking with their swords the hands by which he endeavoured to cling to the walls, caused him to fall into the moat beneath, where he was instantly put to death. The castle has been restored by Earl Fitzwilliam; the tower from which Dr. Hudson was thrown, and the moat in which he was killed, are still entire." 5

Early History of the Hudsen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hudsen research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1567, 1611, 1612, 1615, 1619, 1630, 1637, 1638, 1660, 1662, 1672, 1676, 1682, 1719 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Hudsen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hudsen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hudsen have been found, including Hudson, Hutson and others.

Early Notables of the Hudsen family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hudsen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hudsen family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Hudsen, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Robert Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; William Hudson, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Ralph Hudson, who settled in Massachusetts with his wife Marie and three children in 1635.

Citations +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
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)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.