Show ContentsHessens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hessens

What does the name Hessens mean?

The Gaelic name used by the Hessens family in ancient Ireland was Ó hOsain, which is possibly derived from the word "os," which means deer. 1

Early Origins of the Hessens family

The surname Hessens was first found in County Londonderry (Irish: Doire), a Northern Irish county also known as Derry, in the province of Ulster, where the surname is still the found today.

Early History of the Hessens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hessens research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1598 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Hessens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hessens Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Hessens family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Hassan, Hassen, Hasson, Hason, O'Hassan, Hassane, O'Hessan and many more.

Early Notables of the Hessens family

More information is included under the topic Early Hessens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hessens family

Ireland saw an enormous decrease in its population in the 19th century due to immigration and death. This pattern of immigration began slowly in the late 18th century and gradually grew throughout the early portion of the 19th century. However, a dramatic increase in the country's immigration numbers occurred when the Great Potato Famine struck in the 1840s. The early immigrants to North America were primarily destined to be farmers tending to their own plot of land, those that came later initially settled within pre-established urban centers. These urban immigrants provided the cheap labor that the fast developing United States and soon to be Canada required. Regardless of their new lifestyle in North America, the Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada made invaluable contributions to their newly adopted societies. An investigation of immigrant and passenger lists revealed many Hessenss: Alexander and John Hassan who arrived in New York in 1816; Christian Hassan, who arrived in New Jersey in 1755; Bryan Hassen, who arrived in New York in 1816.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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