# Hanson

/ˈhænsən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hanson
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR B2

a common last name for people in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: a common English-language surname of patronymic origin, meaning 'son of Hann'.

- The famous pop band from the 1990s was made up of three brothers named Hanson.
- The legal documents were signed by a Mr. Hanson, though his relationship to the primary defendants remained unclear throughout the trial.

### 2. a carriage

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old-fashioned way of spelling 'hansom', which is a small carriage pulled by a horse.

For teachers: an archaic or alternative spelling of 'hansom', denoting a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with the driver seated behind the passengers.

- In the old novel, the character called for a hanson to take him across London.
- The Victorian streets were crowded with hansons and omnibuses, creating a chaotic din of hooves and wooden wheels against the cobblestones.

Usage: In modern English, the spelling 'hansom' is standard for the vehicle; 'hanson' is almost exclusively seen as a proper noun.

## Examples

- The detective hailed a hanson to follow the suspect through the city.
- In Victorian London, the hanson was the most common way for wealthy citizens to travel quickly across the crowded streets.
- The rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves against the cobblestones echoed through the fog as the hanson disappeared into the narrow alleyway, leaving only a faint trail of lantern light.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.