The mountains were discovered by members of the USAS in flights from the in February 1940, and further delineated from air photos taken by USN Operation Highjump in December 1946. The full extent of the group was mapped by USGS from US Navy air photos of 1966. Named by US-SCAN after Captain William L. Hudson, commander of during USEE, 1838–1842. "Peacock", accompanied by under Lieutenant Walker, cruised along the edge of the pack to the north of this area for several days during the latter part of March 1839.