UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Houston in Yorkshire.
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Hoston surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Duffield, St Leonard Shoreditch and St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hoston is 264 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 70.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
264 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hoston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hoston surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 264 | #9,385 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 122 | #21,053 |
| 1901 | historical | 43 | #29,380 |
| 1911 | historical | 63 | #26,537 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Duffield, St Leonard Shoreditch, St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Rushden and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duffield | Derbyshire |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Rushden | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hoston surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hoston, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hoston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hoston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hoston is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hoston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hoston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hoston is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from a place called Hostonin, which was a small village or hamlet located in the northern regions of the country.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Ralf de Hostonin, suggesting that the surname was already in use during the 11th century.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, includingHostonin, Hostoninne, and Hostonne, reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings during that time. These variations often stemmed from regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the names.
In the 13th century, records indicate the presence of a family named Hoston residing in the county of Yorkshire. One notable member was Sir Roger Hoston, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453).
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Hoston surname spread across various parts of England, with several members achieving notable positions. One such individual was William Hoston (1560-1631), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London.
In the late 17th century, records show a Richard Hoston (1649-1712) as a member of the Parliament of England, representing the constituency of Westbury in Wiltshire.
As the centuries progressed, the Hoston surname continued to be associated with various occupations and professions. In the 19th century, John Hoston (1801-1876) was a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the city of Manchester.
Another notable figure was Elizabeth Hoston (1820-1892), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in the city of Bristol, advocating for equal educational opportunities for women.
While the surname Hoston may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including knights, merchants, politicians, architects, and educators.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hoston surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 6 Hostons recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 6 | 12.66x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 2.06x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.87x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 7.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 6 Hostons recorded in 1881 and an index of 206.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bermondsey | 6 | 206.90x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 18.35x |
| Halewood | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 29.50x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 19.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hoston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Hoston surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Hoston a modern rank of #38,594.
An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Houston in Yorkshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hoston bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.