Henderson is a Scottish surname that has been adopted as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. It is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Henry," derived from the Scottish form Hendry, which itself is a variant of Henry. The name thus links to the Germanic element heim meaning "home" and rih meaning "ruler," giving the full sense of "son of the home ruler."Etymology and OriginsThe surname Henderson originated in Scotland. In Scottish Gaelic, it is rendered as MacEanraig (masculine) or NicEanraig (feminine). The name is borne by several unrelated families. The Clan Henderson was a major Lowland family associated with Fordell in Fife, featuring chiefs who were notable in Scottish history. Meanwhile, the Hendersons of Glencoe were a sept of the Clan Donald, descending from the Gaelic form MacEanruig. The surname was uncommon in England before the 17th century, first recorded in a marriage document between a Henderson of the Borders and a Carlisle merchant's daughter at Hexham.Cultural SignificanceHenderson evolved over time from a purely Scottish clan surname into a frequent given name, transitioning in the same way that many surnames were adopted as first names in the English-speaking world, especially from the late 19th century. Notable individuals who brought prominence to the name include American sailor Adele Dunlap (née Henderson; 1902–2017), who became the oldest living American, and Scottish singer-songwriter Ainslie Henderson (born 1979). However, the name is more widely known as a surname than as a first name.As a given name, Henderson today is seen as distinctive yet familiar, often chosen by parents honoring a family surname. It belongs to the category of patronymic names, sharing prefixes like “Mac-” or suffixes like “-son,” which underscore lineage and heritage.Meaning: Son of HenryOrigin: Scottish (Gaelic MacEanraig)Type: Patronymic surname used as given nameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially Scotland