Hanson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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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:

Hanson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hanson is the 244th most popular surname with an estimated 106,941 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Hanson is ranked the 449th most popular surname with an estimated 10,605 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Hanson is the 568th popular surname with an estimated 6,772 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Hanson as 637th with 1,124 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Hanson as 493rd 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
Hanson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Hanson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Hanson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Hanson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hanson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Hanson (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Hanson +
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