Hancock. Hancoc or Hencot—These names were gradually changed to Hancock.
Hanks. According to Lower, an old Cheshire "nick"-name of Randolph. The name Randolph has given rise to many "diminutives," as Rankin, Randolph, Randy, Ranson, Hankin, Hankey, Hanks, resembling in this respect the prolific "Peter" (q.v.). In the struggle for existence the monosyllabic "Hanks" has survived to share the distinction of the original surname. To have been borne by the mother of Lincoln is quite enough to render it illustrious for all time. A contemporary said of her that "she was a woman of superior natural endowments of mind and of great amiability and kindness of heart. She was always gentle, always kind, but far more energetic than her husband. She was quick-witted, with a great relish for the humorous and a keen appreciation of fun." Her husband generously described her occasional "complaints" as "chirping"—a gracious felicity of speech. Whatever the wit and charm of the woman, there was certainly humor, with tenderness and imagination, in the man.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Ky., in February, 1809, three and a half years after the marriage of his father and mother. She died in October, 1818. She was buried near the present site of Lincoln City, and lay for many years in an unmarked grave. A "sculptured monument" now marks the spot. It is a beautiful shaft of white marble and bears the impressive legend: "Beneath this shaft lies in peace all that is mortal of Nancy Lincoln, mother of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States."
Hanson, Hausen (Scand).
Harben (Norman) or Harbin, de Harpin: Harbinson.
HONORABLE HENRY WATTERSON.
Harcourt. The Earls of Harcourt were descended from Bernard, "the Dane," who was chief counselor and second in command to Rollo or Rolf in his invasion of Neustria, 875, and received for his services a chateau ("Harcourt") near Brionne in France. Robert de Harcourt attended William the Conqueror to the Conquest of England. "Harcourt" is notably a name of "high life."
Harden, or Hardin. Walter Hardin, a true Norman name.
Hardin. Ben Hardin, the great Kentucky lawyer, on one occasion when traveling the circuit breakfasted with his kinsman, Major Barbour, a prominent citizen of a pious community. Mrs. Barbour, who had little taste for the profane writers, but read her Bible daily, was truly a mother in Israel; and was as hospitable to sinners as to saints. The problem before the venerable hostess was to make the conversation interesting to the great lawyer. Roosevelt and the Kaiser were not at the front in those days, and the conversation naturally flagged; but the old lady soon found a satisfactory substitute for the great modern rulers, and turned suddenly upon her imposing kinsman with the query, "Benjamin, what do you think of Solomon?" Ben had evidently studied the subject, for he answered instantly, "Solomon, madam, was a magnificent damned scoundrel."