Hudgens
Hudgens is a surname most likely meaning “son or descendant of Hudd/Hudde,” a medieval given-name form related to Hugh.
The #7,237 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 66,988 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Hudgens is generally treated as an English patronymic surname formed from a medieval personal name such as Hudd, Hudde, or Hodge, all of which can ultimately go back to the given name Hugh. The ending -ens or -ins type in surnames often marks descent or association, so the name likely began as “son of Hud” or “belonging to Hud.” In that sense, the surname points to an ancestor’s first name rather than a place or occupation.
History
The name belongs to the broad family of English surnames that grew out of medieval pet forms of Christian names, especially in the later Middle Ages. Spellings have varied over time, and Hudgens likely developed alongside related forms such as Hodgins, Hudgins, and Huggins. It is found mainly in English-speaking countries today, especially the United States, where it survives in a number of regional spellings.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Hudgens and Hudgins are often confused in records because historical spellings were not fixed, and a single family line could appear under several forms across generations.