Henshaw Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname Henshaw is of English origin and has its roots in the Old English language. It is derived from the elements "hengest," meaning "horse," and "haga," meaning "enclosure" or "hedge." Therefore, the name suggests someone who lived near a horse enclosure or a hedge.
The Henshaw family history traces back to medieval England, with one of the earliest recordings of the name found in the 13th century parish records of Yorkshire. Over time, individuals with the surname Henshaw spread across the country.
The Henshaw family has been associated with a few notable figures, including Charles W. Henshaw, an American artist known for his landscape paintings, and Cyril Henshaw, a British entomologist recognized for his work on beetles.
As with any family history, specific details and individual stories may differ from one branch or generation to another. For accurate and precise information about a particular Henshaw family, it is recommended to research specific genealogical records, consult historical archives, or connect with relatives who may have more detailed family knowledge.

1. The surname Henshaw is of English origin.
2. Henshaw is a locational surname derived from the place name Henshaw in West Yorkshire, England.
3. The name Henshaw is also associated with various places in England, such as Henshaw Wood near Carlisle in Cumbria.
4. The meaning of the surname Henshaw is not clear, but it may have derived from Old English words such as "henn," meaning "hen," and "sceaga," meaning "wood" or "thicket." This could suggest that the name originally referred to a place with a hen-infested wood or a person who lived near such a place.
5. Variations of the surname Henshaw include Henshall, Henshawe, Henchel, and Henchell.
6. The Henshaw surname has been recorded in various spellings since at least the 16th century, with early records found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire.
7. The Henshaw family is known to have migrated to America, with records of Henshaws settling in New England as early as the 17th century.
8. In the United States, notable individuals with the surname Henshaw include Joseph Henshaw, who served as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the 18th century, and David Henshaw, who was the United States Secretary of the Navy in the mid-19th century.
9. The Henshaw family name has various coat of arms associated with it, often featuring symbols such as a black staff on red with silver or gold escallops.
10. Today, the surname Henshaw is relatively rare but can be found in different parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Some famous people with the surname Henshaw include:
1. Barrie Henshaw: British architect and town planner.
2. Chad Henshaw: American football player who played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
3. Elizabeth Henshaw: American actress known for her roles in films like "All the Fine Young Cannibals" and "Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man."
4. Matthew Henshaw: British singer-songwriter known for his soulful music.
5. Thomas Henshaw: English entrepreneur and businessman who founded furniture retailer MFI.
6. William Henshaw: American politician who served as the governor of Massachusetts from 1692 to 1693.
7. Gail Henshaw: American painter and mixed-media artist known for her abstract expressionist works.
8. John Henshaw: English actor known for his roles in TV shows like "Early Doors" and "Cuckoo."
9. Les Henshaw: Australian rugby league player who played for the Canberra Raiders and the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
10. Patricia Henshaw: British author known for her romance novels.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other famous people with the surname Henshaw as well.