The Hodgshon name is an important part of the history of the ancient
Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Hodgshon 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 Hodgshon family
The surname Hodgshon 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print. Confirming the
Northumberland heritage, another reference states: "as far back as the 15th century they were more numerous in
Northumberland than they are at present."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print. The
Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes Hodgeson; and Johannes Hojegeson.
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Hodgshon family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodgshon research.
Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1801, 1591, 1616 and 1611 are included under the topic Early Hodgshon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Hodgshon Spelling Variations
Before 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 Hodgshon were recorded, including Hodgson, Hodson, Hodsdon and others.
Early Notables of the Hodgshon family (pre 1700)
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hodgshon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Hodgshon family to Ireland
Some of the Hodgshon 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.
Migration of the Hodgshon family to the New World and Oceana
To 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 Hodgshon family emigrate to North America:
Hodgshon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Milcah Hodgshon, who arrived in Maryland in 1674 [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
The Hodgshon 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.