Hanson is a surname of English origin that means "son of Hans" or "son of John". It is a common surname in English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The name Hanson may also be of Scandinavian or Germanic origin, derived from the personal name "Hanus" or "Hannes". Individuals with the surname Hanson may have ancestors who were farmers or laborers, as the name originally denoted a son of a man named Hans who worked the land. Hanson is a name that has been passed down through generations and continues to be a popular surname today.