Henson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Henson has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal name for the “son of Henry,” or “the son of Heyn.” [1]

“There are few traces of the name in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. The large business done between the English and Low Countries in the 14th century, however, made the foreign forms familiar, especially in counties like Yorkshire.” [1]

Early Origins of the Henson family

The surname Henson was first found in Yorkshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Adam Hanneson; Robertus Hanson; Willelmus Hanson; Johanna Hanson, wyf (wife); and Johannes Hanneson as all holding lands there at that time. [1]

The Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire listed John Handson there in 1327 and later William Hondesone was listed in the Subsidy Roll for Staffordshire in 1332. John Hanson was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland (Cumbria) in 1332 and in Lancashire, Ralph Hanneson was found there in 1350. [2]

“The Hansons have for a long time resided in the parish of Halifax. A rector of Thornton two centuries ago bore this name. Richard Hanson, who was three times mayor of Hull in the reign of Henry VI., died heroically at the battle of Wakefield in 1460. Captain Hanson, who was taken prisoner in the same battle, was executed at Pontefract.” [3]

Early History of the Henson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henson research.

Henson 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 Henson include Hanson, Hansom and others.

Early Notables of the Henson family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Hanson (fl. 1604), English poet, who proceeded B.A. from Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1603-1604.” He was author of a very rare volume of verse, entitled ‘Time is a Turn-coate, or England’s Threefold Metamorphosis ; also a pageant speech or Idylion pronounced to the citie of London before the entrance of her long expected consort,’ i.e. James I, London, printed for J. H., 1604.” [4]

Henson Ranking

In the United States, the name Henson is the 630^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. [5]

 Henson 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: 

Henson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Rich Henson, who arrived in Virginia in 1656 [6]
• John Henson, who landed in Maryland in 1661 [6]
• Robert Henson, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 [6]

Henson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Phillip Henson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [6]

Henson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Christian Henson, who landed in Texas in 1850-1906 [6]
• Elizabeth Henson, aged 13, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 [6]
• Emma Henson, aged 5, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 [6]
• Haddon Henson, aged 2, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 [6]
• Mary Henson, aged 19, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 [6]

 Henson migration to Australia+

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

Henson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Henson, Canadian covict who was convicted in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for life, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [7]
• Robert Henson, English convict from Northampton, who was transported aboard the “Arab” on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen’s Land, Australia [8]
• Mr. John Henson, British convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Competitor”18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [9]
• Mr. Daniel Henson, British convict who was convicted in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Bussorah Merchant” on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [10]
• Mr. John Henson, (Baxter), English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for life, transported aboard the “David Lyon” on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [11]

 Henson 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: 

Henson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Emma Henson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Phoenix” in 1860
• Miss Fanny Henson, (b. 1840), aged 22, British general servant travelling from London aboard the ship “Echunga” arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 [12]
• Gustave Henson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Claramont” in 1863
• Charles Henson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Hasquina” in 1870
• Susannah Henson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Hasquina” in 1870

 Henson 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. [13]

Henson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Phillipp Henson, aged 21, who landed in Barbados in 1635 [6]
• Mr. Phillipp Henson, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, Englandaboard the ship “Peter Bonaventure” arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [14]

Contemporary Notables of the name Henson (post 1700) +

• Mickie Jay Henson (1963-2022), American professional wrestling referee, best known for his time with World Championship Wrestling in 1992–2001 and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2005–2009
• John Paul Henson (1965-2014), American puppeteer best known for his association with The Muppets, son of Jim Henson
• Jane Henson (1934-2013), American puppeteer, wife of puppeteer Jim Henson
• Jim Henson (1936-1990), American puppeteer, creator of the Muppets, posthumous recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award from The Peace Abbey and Disney Legends Award
• Matthew Henson (1866-1955), American explorer, member of the Robert Peary expedition in 1909
• Josiah Henson (1789-1883), famed fugitive American slave, founder of the Dawn Settlement
• Denver C. Henson, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 1944; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona at-large, 1946 [15]
• Debra Henson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 2004 [15]
• David Henson, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of CasselBerry, Florida, 2004 [15]
• Burton G. Henson, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1932 [15