Surname Henson - Meaning and Origin
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My Viking Roots: Unraveling the Henson Family Name Through IGENEA DNA Analysis
Exploring my family name, Henson's roots, through IGENEA DNA analysis was enriching. Revealed as an age-old Viking identity marker, the name took me on a journey from Scandinavia to Northern England, tracing the voyages and lives of my ancestors. This experience amplified my understanding, connecting me significantly deeper to my heritage and past.
Q. Henson
read moreHenson: What does the surname Henson mean?
The surname Henson is of English origin and is derived from the medieval personal name "Henn(e)", a short form of the name Henry. This given name was very popular in Europe, due to its association with the Germanic name element ‘heim’, which means "home", as well as its connection to several saints and kings. Combining the name Henn(e) with the English patronymic suffix "-son", the surname Henson generally means "son of Henne" or "son of Henry". Over time, Henson had many variations in spelling due to factors such as translation errors and regional dialects. Notable people with the surname Henson include Jim Henson, the puppeteer and creator of the Muppets, and Matthew Henson, an Arctic explorer. The surname is found throughout the English-speaking world, but particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisHenson: Where does the name Henson come from?
The last name "Henson" has its roots in medieval England. It is a typical patronymic surname, derived from the given name Henry, meaning "son of Henry." The addition of "-son" was a common way to create surnames in England during the 13th and 14th centuries. Throughout history, various spelling forms of "Henson" emerged including "Hennison," "Henrison," and "Hennis."
Today, Henson is a common last name in the United States, Britain, and Australia. According to recent data, it is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England. Within the U.S., it is most widespread in the Southern states. The surname has achieved notoriety through figures such as puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and actress Taraji P. Henson. However, despite its prevalence and popularity, the surname's precise geographic origins in the British Isles are still subject to debate among genealogists.
Variations of the surname Henson
The surname Henson is derived from the personal name Henry. It means 'son of Henry'. There are numerous spelling variations of this surname, considering the way spellings transformed and evolved over the centuries. Some variants include the surnames Henison, Heneson, Hennison, Hennson, and Henderson, which also shares a similar origin as 'son of Henry'.
An explanation for these multiple versions could be attributed to the fact that surnames, in the past, were often recorded based on how they were phonetically spoken. So, regional accents and varying literacy levels lead to different versions of the same name.
Additionally, there are other similar surnames like Hanson and Hansson which are of Scandinavian origin and mean 'son of Hans'. Although sounding similar and having a similar meaning, these surnames are not the same as 'Henson' in terms of their origin.
Despite the presence of these different versions, Henson is the most widely used. It's important to keep in mind that the spelling of a surname might vary within different branches of the same family. So, the variations do not necessarily imply a different lineage.
Famous people with the name Henson
- Jim Henson: He was an iconic puppeteer, animator, and cartoonist, best known for creating The Muppets and Sesame Street.
- Taraji P. Henson: An acclaimed African-American actress, who has starred in numerous films and TV series including "Hidden Figures" and "Empire".
- Brian Henson: Son of Jim Henson, he took over his father's company and is notable for directing films like "Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island".
- Matthew Henson: He was an African-American explorer best known as the co-discoverer of the North Pole with Robert Peary in 1909.
- John Henson: He was a son of Jim Henson and a puppeteer, best known for his role as "Sweetums" in multiple Muppets projects.
- Jane Henson: Notable as the wife of Jim Henson and co-creator of the Muppets, Jane was also an accomplished puppeteer herself.
- Lisa Henson: Another child of Jim Henson, Lisa served as the president of Columbia Pictures and is currently CEO of the Jim Henson Company.
- Kevin Clash: While not a Henson by birth, Clash is often associated with the Hensons due to his fame as the puppeteer and voice of Elmo on Sesame Street, a Jim Henson creation.
- Heather Henson: Another of Jim Henson's children, Heather is also a puppeteer and creator in her own right.