Parent’s name
Hudson surname meaning
English patronymic meaning “son of Hud,” with Hud a medieval pet form of Hugh.
The short story
Hudson means “Hud’s son.” Hud was a medieval pet form of Hugh, the personal name that entered English through Norman and continental traditions. As with many -son surnames, the original family label could be formed independently in different places, and a later hereditary Hudson need not descend from one medieval household. The shorter Hudd and the longer Hutchinson belong to the same broad naming landscape without being interchangeable in every record. Parent’s name is the direct type, and high confidence describes the well-supported English formation.
Also seen as: Hudd, Hud, Hutchinson
Sources used
- Wikipedia “Hudson (surname)” (son of Hugh through Hud)
- Ancestry/DAFN 2022: Hudson (English patronymic)
- Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)