Surname Henshaw - Meaning and Origin

Henshaw: What does the surname Henshaw mean?

Henshaw is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English 'hean', meaning 'high' and 'sceaga', meaning 'wood' or 'copse'. Therefore, Henshaw originally would have referred to someone who lived near a wood located at a high point or on elevated ground. Alternatively, it is also associated with 'Hean’s Shaw' - 'Shaw' was the term used in the ancient Northern dialect to describe a small wood or a thicket, and 'Hean' is presumed to be a personal name. So, Henshaw could mean a wooded area belonging to Hean. The name is primarily associated with places in northwest England, but has since spread further afield. Variations of the surname include Handshaw and Henshall. As with any surname, over the centuries it has been borne by many unrelated individuals and families, so the possession of the surname does not necessarily imply a common ancestry.

Henshaw: Where does the name Henshaw come from?

The surname Henshaw is of English origin. It is a geographical or locational surname derived from an actual place called Henshaw in Northumberland. The place's name is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "hengest," which means stallion, and "haga," which means enclosure or homestead.

As the surname's usage spread over centuries, it became common in countries where English influence was prominent. Today, it is most common in England, specifically in areas around its point of origin and in the United States due to historical migration patterns. It can also be found, though less commonly, in other countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is worth noting that the frequency of the Henshaw surname is relatively rare when compared to other surnames, which contributes to its lesser prominence worldwide.

Variations of the surname Henshaw

The surname Henshaw may have several variations and spellings, influenced by dialect, migration, and pronunciation. These may include Henshawe, Henshall, Hensher, Henscher, Henshair, Henshawes, Hencher, Hancher and Henshar. The name's multiple spellings can be traced back to the days when a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents recorded.

People also changed the spelling of their names to avoid association with other branches of the family or other reasons. Migration and translation also led to changes in spelling. For example, upon immigration to different countries, names might have been transcribed phonetically leading to different spellings.

The surname Henshaw is of English origin and is topographic; it refers to those living near a particular location, specifically a haw, which means hedge in Old English, combined with ‘hen,’ possibly implying a place where hens are kept. This surname is primarily concentrated in Cheshire and Nottinghamshire regions of England. With the passage of time, some family members may have adopted localized versions of the surname based on their geographic location or dialect, leading to the creation of several variants and spellings of the surname Henshaw.

Famous people with the name Henshaw

• Joshua Henshaw: U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (1809-1811).
• William Henshaw: American politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1798-1799).
• Charles Henshaw: American merchant who served as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature from 1782 to 1786.
• Daniel Henshaw: English biography writer and satirical poet.
• Henry Henshaw: British soldier who fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• Ann Henshaw Gardiner: American poet and author of hymns.
• Stephen Henshaw: American printer and publisher from Maine; founder of the Boston Globe; and a member of the joint Committee of the Colony of Massachusetts.
• William J. Henshaw: American soldier who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
• Asa Henshaw: American professor of mathematics and astronomy, and senior professor of natural philosophy at Brown University.
• Coleman Henshaw: English pre-Raphaelite painter and member of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Other surnames

HenshallHenshawe