This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of John,' a Welsh surname. John was never an English surname. Johnson monopolized the honours.

Edward ap-John, archdeacon, County of Caermarthen, 1509: History and Ant. St. David's.

Robert ap-Edward John, of Bangor, 1599: Wills at Chester.

William ap-Thomas John, of Pulford, 1606: ibid.

Edward ap-John, of Hanmer, laborer, 1584: ibid.

1666. Married — Robert Rait and Charity John: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1751. — Thomas John and Joanna Russell: St. George's Chapel, Mayfair.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of John,' from the Dutch introduced Han or Hans; v. Hankin. There are few traces of the name in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. The large business done between the English and Low Countries in the 14th century, however, made the foreign forms familiar, especially in counties like Yorkshire.

William Hanneson, Pat. Roll, 4 Edward III.

Richard Hanson, Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Society).

Matilda Hanwyfe, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Adam Hanneson, 1379: ibid.

Robertus Hanson, 1379: ibid.

Willelmus Hanson, 1379: ibid.

Johanna Hanson, wyf, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Hanneson, ibid.

William Hanneson, 1379: Preston Guild Rolls.

1641. Baptised — Jane, d. Thomas Handsonne: St. Peter, Conihill.

From Heb. Jehohhan through Greek Ioannes, Latin Ioannes, is in Gaelic lain.

Han’s Son: v. Hann.

(Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) The son of Hans, a diminutive of the Teutonic Johannes (gracious gift of Jehovah).

This baptismal name, which is of Norman introduction, has rarely passed into a surname. The Lond. Direct, for 1852 affords but one instance. It has been, however, the source, in various modified forms, of a considerable number of names, some of which are amongst the most common in the whole circle of our nomenclature. Its immediate derivative, Johnson, and its Welsh genitive form, Jones, substantiate this assertion; but we have besides Johns, Johnes, Joanes, Johncock, Janson, Jannings, Jennings, Jenks, Jenkyn, Jenkins, and Jinkins, Jenkinson, and perhaps Janes and Jenson. The Flemish nickname Hans from Johannes, seems to be the root of Hanson, Hancock, &c. Jack and Jackson might seem to claim the same parentage, but I think there is more reason for affiliating them upon James (See Jack).

The son of Sans or John, same as Johnson. Bailey derives it from San, the diminutive of Randall, the son of Randall.

(Hebrew.) Gracious; God's grace.

From the Danish, Hansen; from the Swedish, Hanson; personal name See Heney.

The Hansons have for a long time resided in the parish of Halifax (W.). A rector of Thornton two centuries ago bore this name (Wh. C.). Richard Hanson, who was three times mayor of Hull in the reign of Henry VI., died heroically at the battle of Wakefield in 1460 (Tickell's "Hull"). Captain Hanson, who was taken prisoner in the same battle, was executed at Pontefract (D.).