Surname Hewson - Meaning and Origin
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Hewson: What does the surname Hewson mean?
The surname Hewson is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an occupational name for a person who was a "hewer of wood" or a woodcutter. It is derived from the Old English word "hew" which means to chop or cut with repeated blows, and "son" implying "son of the cutter". The name could also have a patronymic origin, referring to "son of Hugh". It is commonly found in Northern England and Scotland. Over centuries, the name has varied in spelling with some recorded versions such as Hewison, Howison, and Heweson. The name gained popularity and was brought to public attention in the late 20th Century by Paul David Hewson, better known by his stage name Bono, the lead vocalist of the Irish rock band U2. Despite its occupational origin, it doesn't imply that people carrying the name today are direct descendants of ancient woodcutters; rather it's an homage to their family history.
Order DNA origin analysisHewson: Where does the name Hewson come from?
The surname Hewson is an English patronymic name, originating from the medieval personal name Hugh. It was typically used to denote "son of Hugh", with "Hugh" meaning 'heart' or 'spirit'.
The surname was first recorded in the early 13th century in Lincolnshire, England. Over the centuries, the surname spread throughout England and into Ireland, where it became quite common, especially in County Cork. The surname was often spelled in a variety of ways, including Hewson, Howson, and even sometimes Houson.
Today, the surname Hewson can still be found in both England and Ireland. It is also quite common in countries where there was a significant amount of English or Irish immigration such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. You can also find it present in South Africa and the British commonwealth. The surname is perhaps most famously held by Paul Hewson, better known by his stage name Bono, the lead vocalist of the Irish rock band U2.
Variations of the surname Hewson
The surname Hewson is of British origins, specifically from Northern England and Scotland. It's a patronymic name derived from the personal name Hugh, meaning 'son of Hugh'. As with many surnames, variants and different spellings have developed over time, region, or through clerical error. Alternative spellings include Hewson, Hewison, Howson, Hueson, and Huison.
Some other variations of this surname can be Hews, Hewsone, Heughson, Heweson, and Hughsone. Depending on the geographical location, the spelling and pronunciation could have changed slightly leading to these variations.
The variant spellings have occurred primarily due to the phonetic transcribing of the surname in different periods and regions. However, it is essential to note that not all people bearing these alternative surnames are necessarily biologically related as the surname could have been independently derived in different locations.
The similar surnames like Houston or Henson, while phonetically similar, have different origins so they, normally, wouldn't be considered variations or derivations of Hewson.
Famous people with the name Hewson
- Paul David Hewson: More famously known as Bono, he is an Irish singer-songwriter and philanthropist, widely recognized as the lead vocalist of the rock band U2.
- Eve Hewson: An Irish actress also known for being Bono's daughter. She starred in Netflix's psychological thriller series "Behind Her Eyes."
- Jordan Hewson: Bono's other daughter, who is a social activist and entrepreneur.
- Ali Hewson: An activist and businesswoman, best known as the wife of Bono. She co-founded the Edun fashion label and anti-nuclear power group Chernobyl Children's Project.
- Nicholas Evans Hewson: Paul David Hewson's father and an Irishman who worked at the postal service.
- Robert Hewson: A British defense analyst and publisher known for his works about post-Soviet states' military affairs.
- Sir Bobby Hewson: An English comedian, best known by his stage name "Paul Kaye".
- Pierre "Tex" Hewson: A British veteran professional baseball player and coach.
- Bruce Hewson: A retired Australian rules footballer.
- William Hewson (1739–1774): An 18th-century British surgeon and anatomist referred to as the "father of haematology".