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