Hodsdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Hodsdon has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally 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 Hodsdon family

The surname Hodsdon 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 Hodsdon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodsdon 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 Hodsdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hodsdon Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hodsdon include Hodgson, Hodson, Hodsdon and others.

Early Notables of the Hodsdon 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. 3James 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. 4John 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 Hodsdon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hodsdon family to Ireland

Some of the Hodsdon 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.

Hodsdon migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Hodsdon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Hodsdon, who landed in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1634 5
John Hodsdon, who settled in Virginia in 1637

Hodsdon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mary Hodsdon, aged 48, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Umbria" from Liverpool, England 6

Hodsdon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John Hodsdon, aged 54, originally from Southend, England, arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Southampton, England 6
Jane Ellen Hodsdon, aged 53, originally from Southend, England, arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Southampton, England 6
Winifred M. Hodsdon, aged 4, originally from Southend, England, arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Southampton, England 6
George M. Hodsdon, aged 41, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
Frances Kathleen Hodsdon, aged 38, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hodsdon (post 1700) +

John R. Hodsdon, American Democratic Party politician, New Hampshire Democratic State Chair, 1955 7
Sir James William Beeman Hodsdon KBE PRCSE (1858-1928), Scottish surgeon, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 1914-1917

The Hodsdon 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.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html