Surname Hensman - Meaning and Origin

Hensman: What does the surname Hensman mean?

The surname Hensman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English personal name "Hengest" which means "stallion." This name was fairly popular during the medieval times, particularly across England and Germany. Another theory suggests that Hensman could be an occupational name for someone who worked at a stable, handling horses, or was in some other way associated with horses. The "man" suffix in such occupational surnames usually indicated a person of lower or subordinate status. Over time, the spelling evolved due to variations in regional dialects, literacy levels, and pronunciation, resulting in the form 'Hensman'. Furthermore, it was a common practice in the Middle Ages to adopt a father's first name or trade as a surname, resulting in surnames such as Hensman becoming prevalent. Like most surnames, geographic dispersal over centuries has resulted in the name being found in many different countries around the world today.

Hensman: Where does the name Hensman come from?

The surname Hensman is of English origin, derived from the Old French term "henseman" which means a page or groom, originally a young man in the service of a noble. The term was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Over the centuries, the term became a surname and may have been used to denote a servant or someone tied to a noble household in their ancestry.

Today, Hensman is not a common surname and is distributed unevenly around the world. It is most prevalent in England and Australia and has the highest density in Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel. The surname is also represented in the United States, Canada, and South Africa but is comparatively less common in these regions. It's important to note that the distribution of the Hensman surname may have changed over time and may be influenced by factors such as migration and intermarriage.

Variations of the surname Hensman

The surname Hensman has different variations in its spelling due to its old English origin. Some of the most common variants and spellings of the surname include Henshman, Hensmon, Hensmen, Henseman, Hensmun, and Hensmain. This variation in spelling may be due to linguistic differentiation and regional accents over years.

During the time periods when surnames were not solidified, they were often written as they were spoken, which led to different spellings of the same surname. For example, the surnames could be spelled differently in different documents of the same person.

The surname Hensman is most common in England and Ireland and is believed to have been derived from the old English words “henn” meaning a hen, and “mann” meaning a man or person. It was possibly an occupational surname for someone who looked after hens.

The surname Hensman might have different surnames of the same origin as well, such as Henman, Henningman, or Henley. The variations are most commonly found in England, and to a lesser extent, in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Due to migration and evolution, similar sounding or derivative surnames can also be found in Germanic and French languages such as Henneman or Henssman respectively.

Famous people with the name Hensman

• Alex Hensman: British singer-songwriter, currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
• Raj Hensman: English actor born in Oxfordshire, England.
• Alex Hensman-Smith: Digital marketer and founder of marketing consultancy HensmanSmith.
• Zeke Hensman: South African singer and producer.
• Isla Hensman: British singer, songwriter and activist.
• David Hensman: British physician and military doctor who served in the Burma campaign during World War II.
• Bruno Hensman: Former professional footballer who represented Club Melchior in Belgium.
• Peter Hensman: British sprint and middle distance athlete who represented Great Britain in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Matthew Hensman: British writer and screenwriter known for his work on the British television series ‘Dr. Who’.
• Anna Hensman: British actress and voiceover artist who has appeared in various television and radio programs, including ‘Doctors’ and ‘Coronation Street’.
• Lavinia Hensman: British artist and sculptor known for her work in bronze and steel.
• Magda Hensman: Polish painter and sculptor of public monuments in Poland, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
• Mark Hensman: South African Special Forces soldier and decorated hero of the South African Border War.
• Imogen Hensman: British sculptor and painter, known for her abstract sculptures and installations.
• Ruth Hensman: British professional golfer and winner of five professional tournaments.
• Tony Hensman: British musician and producer, who formed the musical group ‘The Hensons’ in 2005.
• Richard Hensman: British artist and designer who created numerous tapestries and book cover illustrations during his lifetime.
• Nick Hensman: British actor, most recognized for his television and stage roles.
• Julian Hensman: British Military officer and recipient of the Military Cross for acts of bravery in World War Two.
• Alexander Hensman: British writer and editor of novels, short stories and children’s books.

Other surnames

HensmannHensmanns