Map of England showing where the Hodson arms are recorded
The Hodson arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1590.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hodson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Hodson Family in England
The surname Hodson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Hodge. Hodge was a common medieval nickname for Roger, a name that became very popular in England after the Norman Conquest. By the time the name appears in Cambridge records in 1590, families using this surname were already well-established within the social fabric of English towns. During this era, many people with the name Hodson worked as skilled tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the growth of local economies. Because the name was tied to a common nickname, it emerged independently in several different regions of England rather than coming from a single ancestor. This allowed the Hodson name to spread across the country as families moved to find new work or land. Over several generations, the spelling gradually stabilized into the form we recognize today as these families became permanent fixtures in their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three martlets or”
WicklowHollybrooke House · Wicklow, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Hodson arms are recorded
The Hodson arms were recorded in Wicklow, c. 1645.
Wicklow was mountain country immediately south of Dublin, the last part of the east coast brought under control. Families granted land there held it under arms, and those grants were recorded.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Hodson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wicklow.
Origin & History of the Hodson Family in Ireland
The Hodson family name established a notable presence in County Wicklow by 1645, marking a period of significant transition for many settlers in Ireland. During the mid-seventeenth century, the name was primarily associated with families of English origin who moved to Ireland to manage land or serve in administrative roles. These early Hodsons often settled in areas where the political landscape was shifting due to the Cromwellian land settlements. By integrating into the local economy of Wicklow, the family became part of a broader network of landowners and officials who helped shape the region during a volatile era. Their presence in the historical record from this time suggests they were well-positioned within the social structures of the period, allowing them to establish roots that would persist in the Irish landscape for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hodd
A medieval pet form of the Germanic name Roger or Odd.
This name
HodsonA patronymic surname meaning son of Hodd.
also spelled
Hodsun
Hodsen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Cambridgeshire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Ely, 1590
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
