Even though these surnames share the same Scottish origin, the family crests are distinct and different. “Hutchins”, “Hutchings” and “Hutchinson” are variations of a name first used by Viking settlers in ancient Scotland, all derived from a diminutive form of Hugh, or “Huchon.” “Hutchinson” would, of course, mean “son of Hugh.”
According to the web site “Forbears” these surnames are distributed as follows: Hutchings is found in the south and west of England, mainly Somerset, while Hutchinson is confined to the north, especially County Durham and frequent in Northumberland, Cumberland and in North and East Ridings.
During the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) records mention John Huchoun of Somerset and Isota Huchon of Wiltshire. Willelmus Huchon was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Later, similar names appear in Scotland: James Huchonsone (Glasgow, 1454); John Huchonson (Aberdeen, 1466); William Huchison (Ardmanoch, 1504). Two brothers, George and Thomas Hutcheson, founded a hospital in Glasgow in the 1600’s.1 Spelling variations include: Hutcheon, Hutchon, Houchin, MacCutcheon, MacQuestion and many more.2
Update: I received some comments on this article which shed more light on this surname, its origins and its variations. Please refer to those comments made on 05 May 2016 below. One thing I’ve found when researching surnames — everyone has an opinion as to origin and the sources I used originally may or may not have correctly represented the origins of the surname (one reason why I don’t do many Surname Saturday articles of late). I have also updated the paragraph above with two footnotes (at the time I wrote the article I did not have footnote capability). Originally, the article was written as part of a six-story arc on The Last Men of the Revolution (see William Hutchings below). Thanks to the reader who stopped by and commented to shed more light on this surname. — Sharon Hall (05 May 2016)
Following are the stories of a few American families bearing these surnames. I include a story of an early Hutchins just because of his unusual forename. Also included is the story of one of the remaining six veterans of the Revolutionary War who were photographed and interviewed for Reverend Elias Hillard’s 1864 book, The Last Men of the Revolution.
This entire article has been enhanced and published in the May 2018 issue of Digging History Magazine. Should you prefer to purchase the article only, contact me for more information. I invite you to check out Digging History Magazine. Since January 2018 new articles are published in a digital magazine (PDF) available by individual issue purchase or subscription (with three options). Most issues run between 70-85 pages, filled with articles of interest to history-lovers and genealogists — it’s all history, right? 🙂 No ads — just carefully-researched, well-written stories, complete with footnotes and sources.
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Thanks for stopping by!
I just read this article. I am a direct descendant of William. My mother was a Hutchings and William was my 4th great grandfather. Fun fact. The last name was Hutchins until William was released from the British. He changed it to Hutchings. His wife Mercy was a direct descendant of Samuel Wardwell who was tried and executed as a Salem witch.
Your research for the English Hutchins is way off. The earliest record of the family name HUTCHINS (Hychyns) pronounced (Hichins) is found in Yorkshire, England. The HUTCHINS family traces its ancestral roots back to the Vikings, before the year 1100. It is legend that the Hutchins family in England began with one Uticensis, a Norwegian knight who came to England with William the Conqueror. The Hutchins ancestor, Uticensis, was supposed to have settled in Yorkshire after the invasion, which had been the capital of an independent Viking settlement for many years. Consequently, Harold III (Hardrada), King of Norway, invaded the north of England in 1066 AD. At first he had some success. However, the Northumbrian militia was defeated at the Battle of Fulford on the outskirts of York. The Vikings were beaten back and Harold III was killed in the Battle of Stamford Bridge (25 Sep 1066 AD) by the English King Harold. Unfortunately for the English dynasty, this maneuver of troops left the way open for William the Conqueror, to invade unopposed in the south. King Harold hurried down to meet the second invading force and was killed at the Battle of Hastings on 14 Oct 1066 AD. Ninety percent of the Vikings who followed Harold III into England were killed. The rest were
Thanks for stopping by and providing more information about one of your ancestors and the origins of the surname. I have updated the article with a note to read your comments and added a couple of footnotes for the sources used in the third paragraph (at the time I wrote the article I didn’t have footnote capability). I’ve sort of backed away from doing these Surname Saturday articles because there are so many varying opinions as to origins that it’s hard to write an objective article. Again, I thank you for stopping by and sharing.
Where did you get this story from?
Thank you for the information araveen. Your reply is truncated – would love to read the rest.
Araveen – Do you have a family tree with the Hutchins genealogy on it back to Bernard Hychyns? I would love to see it as I am a Hutchins! Thank you!
I am a Hutchins, as well, and I am FULL of questions but I am very particular about factual information! So excited to read info on this “Clan”?
Heidi, thanks for stopping by! I’ve actually rewritten and enhanced this article for the May 2018 issue of Digging History Magazine. You can see it here if you’re interested in purchasing a copy. Or, if you purchase a subscription of any length (3-month, 6-month or 1 year) I’ll give you the May 2018 issue for free.
May 2018 issue here (on sale, $2 off): https://digging-history.com/store/?model_number=may-2018
Subscriptions: https://digging-history.com/digging-history-magazine-subscription/
I also have a couple of free, complete issue, samples here: https://digging-history.com/free-samples/
Again, thanks for stopping by!
Best,
Sharon Hall, Editor and Publisher, Digging History Magazine.
My name is Stan Hutchins and really enjoy reading about this. I’m still curious where our name originated from, English, Scottish, German..??? Please help
So I know nothing about my last name which is Huchison and I was born in Bangalore bathgate.
Documented records start at BERNARD HYCHYNS born near 1318. He was living in the parish of Cowlam in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks #1 and # 2 both giving “page not found” results. Resulting search page gives no results for “hutchins” or “Hutchins” as a search term. At the very least it ought to loop back to this article. Perhaps it is the search/index functionality that is broken?
Perhaps in the switchover between sites it dropped the indexing. Here’s where it’s located now: https://digging-history.com/2014/07/05/surname-saturday-hutchins-hutchinson-hutchings/.
However, this story in its entirety is no longer available online after it was published in the May issue of Digging History Magazine. You may purchase the magazine here: https://digging-history.com/store/?model_number=may-2018 (which has been marked down in price) or request a stand-alone version of the article for $2.99.
Thanks for stopping by.
I was adopted by the Robinson family when i was small. I toke a DNA test about a year or two ago and with the help of my biological grand mother a Hutchins. I’ve been able to start looking in to the Hutchins line. My DNA came back 55% Scandinavian, 40% Scot/Irish what ever that is and 5% Greek (sperm donor).
So reading this is awesome and helps a lot. its cool to read, compare and most of all find out who i am and who my ancestors were.
thank you for this it my seem small but means the world to someone who is learning where they come from.
Benjamin, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed it!