Surname Hudson - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Unexpected: How an iGENEA DNA Test Uncovered Hidden Ancestral Ties

A simple interest in understanding family heritage led me to undergo a DNA test hoping to confirm what I already knew about my lineage. Little did I know that the results would unravel a much more complex and diverse ancestral tale, challenging my understanding of who I am, and what the Hudson name means.

G. Hudson

Hudson: What does the surname Hudson mean?

The surname Hudson is of English origin and is derived from the personal name "Hudde," which is a medieval diminutive of both the names Hugh and Richard. The suffix "-son" indicates "son of," thus the literal meaning of Hudson is "son of Hudde." It's important to note that the name Hudde was quite popular in the Middle Ages in England, giving rise to many variations of surnames. The name Hudson may also be linked to specific locations in England, such as the town of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Over time, the name spread across the globe due to the British colonization and is now common in many English-speaking countries. Notably, there have been individuals named Hudson who have had significant influence in their respective fields, such as the English explorer Henry Hudson, who has several geographical features named after him, including the Hudson River in the United States.

Hudson: Where does the name Hudson come from?

The surname Hudson is of English origin and primarily derives from the personal name "Hudde," which could be a short form of various Old English pre 7th-century names like Hugh or Richard. The suffix "-son" indicates "son of," thus making Hudson translate to "son of Hudde."

The name began to spread during the era of migration known as the Great Migration, when many English citizens migrated to the New World. Descendants of this migration expanded and multiplied, moving westward across America, thus spreading the surname further.

Today, Hudson is a common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to recent census data, it is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England. In the US, the states with the highest populations of people with the Hudson surname are Texas, California, and Florida. However, when considering the population size, the surname is proportionally most common in New Zealand. Therefore, while Hudson is widespread, it is particularly common in English-speaking countries, indicative of its English roots.

Variations of the surname Hudson

The surname Hudson has a few variants and spellings depending on cultural interpretations and pronunciation. These include the spellings such as "Hodson", "Huddson", "Hutson", and "Hodgson". Hudson has an English origin and it was a patronymic form of "Hudde", a medieval personal name. "Hudde" includes both a short form of Richard, and the separately derived Hugh. In Northern England, Hudson has often changed to Hodgson or Hodson. Variations can also be found in early church records and other historical documents, with spelling often being inconsistent. There are also surnames of similar origin from other countries, such as Hansen (Danish) and Johansson (Swedish), which follow the same naming convention of ‘son of’. The surname Hudson means "son of Hudde/Hugh" or "son of Richard". This "son of" form implies that the initial bearers of the surname are the male descendants of a person who was named Hudde, Hugh or Richard.

Famous people with the name Hudson

• Kate Hudson: Actress and fashion entrepreneur.
• Jennifer Hudson: Singer and actress.
• Mark Hudson: Musician and record producer.
• Goldie Hawn: Actress, comedian and producer.
• Ernie Hudson: Actor and screenwriter.
• Kris Hudson: Musician and singer-songwriter.
• Heath Hudson: County Executive for Morris County, NJ.
• Ashley Hudson: Actress, writer and producer.
• Hudson Mohawke: Music producer and DJ.
• Patricia Hudson: Former mayor in Northampton, U.K.
• Charlotte Hudson: Actress and television presenter.
• Dave Hudson: Former footballer for the N.F.L.
• Will Hudson: Musician and composer.
• Julian Hudson: Artist and sculptor.
• Robert Hudson: Author, editor and theologian.
• Fred Hudson: American javelin thrower.
• David Hudson: Aboriginal Australian artist.
• Julian Hudson: Actor, writer and producer.
• Anthony Hudson: Football manager and former player.
• Alexander Hudson: Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota.

Other surnames

Hudsone