Show ContentsHudson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hudson has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the name Hudd, a pet form of both Hugh and Richard. 1 2 The surname Hudson features the patronymic suffix -son, which was most common in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes in popularity during the 14th century.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 Hudson family

The surname Hudson 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 Hudson family

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

Hudson 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 Hudson include Hudson, Hutson and others.

Early Notables of the Hudson family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Henry Hudson (1560-1611), English navigator explorer for whom the Hudson's Bay, Canada is named
  • John Hudson (1662-1719), was an English classical scholar; and George Hudson (c.1615-1672), an English composer

Hudson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hudson is the 162nd most popular surname with an estimated 144,246 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Hudson is ranked the 517th most popular surname with an estimated 9,417 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hudson is the 349th popular surname with an estimated 133 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Hudson as 231st with 14,693 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Hudson as 244th with 2,437 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hudson as 159th with 33,480 people. 11


Hudson 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:

Hudson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Hudson, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "James"
  • Edward Hudson, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1624 12
  • Mrs. Susan Hudson of Kent, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Boston. 13
  • Francis Hudson of Kent, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Boston. 13
  • Mr. William Hudson, Jr., of Kent who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hudson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Susannah Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 12
  • Roger Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 12
  • Susana Hudson, who landed in Virginia in 1706 12
  • Susanah Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 12
  • Hannah Hudson, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1730 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hudson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Hudson, aged 22, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 12
  • Mr. Richard Hudson, (b. 1816), aged 24, English miner departing from England aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 14
  • Hy Hudson, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 12
  • Michael Hudson, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1852 12
  • Joe Hudson, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1854 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hudson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hudson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Ann Hudson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Richard Hudson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. Barney Hudson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 364 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 15
Hudson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Hudson, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Patrick Hudson, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
  • George R Hudson, who arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Hudson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hudson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Hudson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Martha Hudson, British Convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Miss Frances Hudson, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Miss Mary Hudson, (b. 1784), aged 29, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. William Hudson, English convict who was convicted in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Mr. Alexander Hudson, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hudson 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:

Hudson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Hudson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842
  • William Hudson, aged 27, a cabinet maker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Hudson, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Hanry Hudson, aged 4, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Ann Hudson, aged 2, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hudson 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. 22
Hudson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Suzan Hudson, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 12
  • Mr. Francis Hudson, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23
  • Mr. Thomas Hudson, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 24
  • John Hudson, his wife, children and servants, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Hudson (post 1700) +

  • Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (b. 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, an American singer, songwriter and philanthropist who has sold over 100 million records
  • Iris Hudson (b. 1947), American author of novels for children, born as Dorothy Mavis Jukes
  • Jennifer Kate Hudson (b. 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, an American singer, actress, and talk show host of The Jennifer Hudson Show
  • Billy Hudson (1938-2022), American politician, Member of the Mississippi State Senate from 2008 until 2020
  • Bill Hudson (1932-2021), American politician and businessman, born in Yuma, Arizona
  • Michael Craig Hudson (1938-2021), American political scientist, the Director of the Middle East Institute and Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore
  • William Alex Hudson (1935-2017), American football defensive tackle, AFL All-Star (1961)
  • Kate Garry Hudson (b. 1979), American Oscar-nominated actress, best known for her role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous (2000)
  • Captain William Levereth Hudson USN (1794-1862), United States Navy officer
  • Timothy Adam "Tim" Hudson (b. 1975), American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Atlanta Braves
  • ... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradford City stadium fire
  • Eric Hudson (1912-1985), from Bingley who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Daniel Hudson (d. 1914), British Barman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. John Henry Couch Hudson, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 25
  • Mr. R. William Hudson (d. 1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. James Lloyd Hudson (1921-1941), Australian Signalman from Sandgate, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 26
HMS Cornwall
  • Alfred George Hudson (d. 1942), British Musician aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Norman Hudson (d. 1945), British Stoker 2nd Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Gilbert Wilbert Wilfred Hudson, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. G R Hudson, British Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. Edward E Hudson, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. Edward A Hudson, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. A Hudson, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 30
  • Mr. Vincent Hudson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 30
HMS Royal Oak
  • John Stephen Hudson (d. 1939), British Signalman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31
  • Frederick Henry John Hudson (1918-1939), British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Melina Kristina Hudson (1972-1988), American Student from Albany, New York, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 32
  • Sophie Ailette Miriam Hudson (1962-1988), French Passenger from Paris, France, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 32
  • Josephine Lisa Hudson (1966-1988), English Nurse from London, England, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 32


Suggested Readings for the name Hudson +

  • Della Elizabeth Butler Hudson Be.
  • : Her Family and Ancestors by Martha Ann Butler.
  • Genealogy and History of the Garmire-Dunmire and Hudson Families: Also Some Family Lines, Snedeker, Wyckoff, Van Voorhies, Gutshall, Shockar, Addleman, Jacob, Parker of Chester Co., Penn., Frey, and Frankhouser by Live M. Garmire-Parker.

  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. 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)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. 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)
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  15. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  19. Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  26. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  27. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  28. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  29. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  30. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  31. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  32. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html


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