Henshall, Henshaw, Henshawe, Hensher, Hencher: (i) Peter de Henschal 1332. From Henshaw (Northumb). (ii) Richard de Henneshagh 1365 Bardsley (Ch); Sysley Henshall (Henshawe) 1570 ib. From Henshaw in Prestbury (Ches). 'Taken from "A Dictionary of British Surnames" by P.H Reaney.'
Spelling variations of the family name include: Henshaw, Henshall, Henshawe and others (see above). First found in Cheshire, England, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Another veriation of the family history is as follows:- "The Henshaw family are particularly numerous in North East Cheshire. Based on the hamlet of Henshaw in Siddington, the landed family have existed here since Saxon times and saw later migrations to Ireland and America. Henshaw is noted in the Domesday book as "Hofinchel". Other variant spellings found in English records are Henshawe, Henshall, Hanshaw and Hinshaw. Henshaw Hall Farm in the village of Siddington occupies a place formerly known as Henneschae ('hens' copse'). This family existed in the area from about 1250 according to some books on Cheshire history. One member was slain at the Battle of Blackwater, during the O'Neil rebellion around 1596."
There are a number of 'Coat of Arms' which are recorded in ancient heraldic archives for the Henshall name. One Henshall 'Coat of Arms' is officially documented in Burke's General Armoury and described as follows:-"OR,TWO CHEV.VERT. ON A CANTON GU. A LION'S HEAD ERASED AR." When translated the blazon also describes the original colours of the Henshall Arms as: "Gold; Two Green Chevrons; On a red upper corner, a silver lion's head, Jagged." Above the shield and helmet is the crest which is described as: "Out of a gold ducal crown, a hand in a silver sleeve with a red cuff, holding a naturally coloured sun."