Origin: |
Hudson is an English surname meaning "son of Hudd." Hudd itself was medieval pet-name for Hugh, and sometime Richard. |
Usage: |
According to Reaney and Wilson*, "Hudde was very common," and they show several examples of how it was well used as a pet-name, or possibly even a vernacular form. For example, the Curia Rolls of Yorkshire in 1212 has the entry Hugo filius Johannis and Johannes pater ipsius Hudde; the 1219 Yorkshire Assize Rolls records a Hugo Sturdy who is later listed as Hudde Sturdi on the 1230 Yorkshire Pipe Rolls. Reaney and Wilson also point to some evidence that it was also used as a pet-form of Richard, citing the 1346 Calendar of the Close Rolls with the entry "Ricardus dictus Hudde de Walkden". As it was used as a pet-form of Hugh or Richard, it is very difficult to ascertain how common Hudd was. However, in George Redmond's survey of 1000 names from ten English counties 1377-81, Richard ranks at #4 and Hugh at #11, showing they were both in popular use. Hudd itself developed the diminutive forms Huddel and Huddlin. The surname Hudson itself dates from at least the 14th century. English explorer and navigator Henry Hudson (c.1570-1611) is one of the most famous early bearers of the surname. His discovery of major North American landmarks is the reason he is the namesake of numerous geographical features, including the Hudson Straight, the Hudson Bay and the Hudson River. As with almost all English surnames, Hudson began to be adopted as a given name from the 17th century. Its early use was generally to honour a godparent or a family member, especially if it was the mother's maiden name.
Records for Hudson as a first name in the England and Wales Birth Index:
In Scotland, too, Hudson began to rise after 2006, going from #1059 (1 births) in 2007 to #544 (4 births) in 2011 and #268 (16 births) in 2014. In 2017, Hudson ranked #135 with 442 births in England and Wales, and #199 with 27 births in Scotland. When we look at England and Wales individually, Hudson ranked at #136 (404 births) in England in 2017, but broke into the Welsh top 100 for the first time at #83 (38 births). |
Famous Bearers: |
History: * Sir Hudson Lowe (1769–1844) British general and Governor of St Helena. Contemporary: * Hudson Felipe Gonçalves, Brazilian footballer. Literature and Other Media: * Hudson Hawk, titular character, played by Bruce Willis in the film Hudson Hawk (1991). |
Variants: |
Hutson |
Pronunciation: |
HUD-sən [key] |
Possible diminutives: |
Hud, Huds |
Sibling Names: |
Hallie Darcy Ariana Lacey Myla Piper |
Name Lists: |
N/A |
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Thanks to Jamie for requesting this name.