Henderson is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the name Henry and the suffix "-son," which means "son of." It was originally given to sons of someone named Henry, and over time became a hereditary surname passed down through generations.
The name Henry itself has Old German origins, coming from the elements "heim" meaning "home" and "ric" meaning "powerful." So, Henderson could be interpreted as "powerful home ruler," reflecting perhaps a sense of leadership or strength in its bearers.
There is some debate over whether Henderson should be considered a first name or a surname. While it has been traditionally used as a surname, it has also gained popularity as a given name in recent years, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Historically, Hendersons can trace their roots back to the Scottish Lowlands, where they were often found among the Border Reivers, clans known for their raiding activities along the Anglo-Scottish border. The most notable Henderson clan was based in the region around Lanarkshire, where they held lands and castles.
Today, Henderson is carried by people all over the world, many of whom may not have Scottish ancestry but appreciate the name's unique sound and historical significance. Despite its origins as a surname, Henderson has evolved into a distinctive given name that stands on its own, free from associations with specific traits or characteristics.
The name Henderson saw a significant increase in popularity from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, with a peak of 83 births in 1918. However, it experienced a decline thereafter, reaching its lowest point with only 9 births in 2004. Recently, there has been a resurgence, with 76 births recorded in 2022 and 45 in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 4170 births named Henderson since 1880.