Show ContentsHudson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hudson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Hudson

What does the name Hudson mean?

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Richard. 1 2 The surname Hudson features the patronymic suffix -son, which was most common in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes in popularity during the 14th century.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

  • 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

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

Hudson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Third Fleet
  • Mr. John Hudson, (b. 1774), aged 13, English settler convicted in London on 10th December 1783, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Following the Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Hudson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Hudson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

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, 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
  • Robert Hudson, aged under 1, 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. 18
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 19
  • Mr. Francis Hudson, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
  • Mr. Thomas Hudson, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 21
  • John Hudson, his wife, children and servants, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Hudson migration to Canada +

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 22
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 the United States +



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 19
  • William 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 Lynn. 19
  • 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. 23
  • 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. 23
  • ... (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 19
  • Roger Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 19
  • Susana Hudson, who landed in Virginia in 1706 19
  • Susanah Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 19
  • Hannah Hudson, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1730 19
  • ... (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 19
  • 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 24
  • Hy Hudson, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 19
  • Michael Hudson, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1852 19
  • Joe Hudson, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1854 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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
  • Hugh Hudson (1936-2023), English Academy Award nominated film director, best known for his work on Chariots of Fire (1981) and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984)
  • George Anthony Hudson (1937-2020), English professional footballer from Manchester, who played 296 matches as a centre forward
  • Robert George Spencer Hudson (1895-1965), English geologist and paleontologist
  • Ray Hudson (b. 1955), English former football player and coach
  • Kirk Hudson (b. 1986), English footballer
  • Robert Spear Hudson (1812-1884), English businessman who popularized dry soap powder
  • Rochelle Hudson (1916-1972), born Rachael Elizabeth Hudson, an American film actress from the 1930s through the 1960s
  • Garth Hudson (1937-2025), born Eric Garth Hudson, Canadian musician, best known as the organist, keyboardist and saxophonist for the rock group The Band and his work with Ronnie Hawkins
  • ... (Another 29 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
  • 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 26
  • 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 26
  • 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
  • ... (Another 15 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. 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)
  11. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  16. Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. 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)
  20. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  21. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  22. 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
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. 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
  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

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