Hi Richard, This is just my idea, but I think "Hance" was simply another interpretion and variation on Hans. When they wrote it, it was sometimes Hans, sometimes Hance, sometimes Hanson. The name Hans could be Scandanavian, or Dutch, maybe even Germanic. When they were in one spot a usual means of interpretion seemed to take hold for specific individuals, but let them move to where there were new interpreters writing it, and it became something else. For instance, I found Hukil (a Dutch name) was usually written Hukil or Hukill in the Cecil County Maryland records, but when Hukill Guilder moved to Frederick county, Virginia he was known as Huckle Guilder. But he's the same guy from Cecil county! To determine and verify the correct origins in specific cases, deeds are an excellent resource, and then follow up with corroborative records. The Maryland archives are putting their (printed) published records online, which is referred to as Archives of Maryland. You might want to check that out. I found a case involving Peter Hance, referred to as a Dutchman in VOl 65, and in the same proceeding he is called John Hance. Maybe just a slip on the pen on the part of the clerk. Then there are records in VOl 54; p29 in which "Hans Hanson, my oldest sonne" is bound over to Joseph Weekes," by an impoverished widowed mother. In Vol 65; p 512 Hance Hanson, "of Kent County," is summoned by Robert Wells in a lawsuit, which may be the same Hans Hanson. http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/homepage/html/refserv.html -----Original Message----- From: Richard D. Reddick <rreddick@tcsn.net> To: cmacdee@centurytel.net <cmacdee@centurytel.net> Date: Sunday, March 03, 2002 9:59 AM Subject: HANCE surname origins? >Carolyn: >Son of Hans statement gets me to thinking: >Any opinion as to the origin of the surname "Hance?" >All indications point to Scandinavian/Germanic, although >some say English/Irish (but not before about 1700). >I read in an L.A. newspaper genealogy column that >"Hans, Hantz and Hance" were from Dutch-speaking lands. >Thanks for your opinion. >Richard > >