Hawson

This interesting name is of medieval English origin and is the patronymic (son of) form of the name Hawkin, itself a diminutive of Hawk, which is 'Hafoc' in Old English and means 'hawk' (the bird). Hafoc would have originally been given to one with some fancied resemblance to the bird. However, Hawkin may also be a pet form of Harry, a medieval given name which derives from the French name 'Henri', the Latin 'Henricus', and the Old German 'hain-ric' meaning home rule, with the Low German suffix 'kin' (little or son of). Among the recordings in London are the marriages between Nicholas Hawson and Elizabeth Hawson on May 14th 1615 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, and of Thomas Hawson and Philladelpha William on February 17th 1630, also at St. Giles, Cripplegate. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Simon Haweson, which was dated 1331, Assize Rolls of Staffordshire, during the reign of King Edward 111, 'The Father of the Navy', 1327-1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.