UK surname
A locative surname from a place called Hought near Manchester, England.
In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Hought surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 77, ranked #33,236, down from #24,561 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Frodingham, North and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hought is 260 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.3%.
1881 census count
64
Ranked #24,561
Modern count
77
2016, ranked #33,236
Peak year
1861
260 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hought surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hought 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 | 48 | #24,615 |
| 1861 | historical | 260 | #9,516 |
| 1881 | historical | 64 | #24,561 |
| 1891 | historical | 154 | #18,004 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 91 | #23,684 |
| 1997 | modern | 76 | #29,997 |
| 1998 | modern | 77 | #30,289 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 75 | #30,668 |
| 2001 | modern | 74 | #30,600 |
| 2002 | modern | 76 | #30,830 |
| 2003 | modern | 79 | #30,549 |
| 2004 | modern | 76 | #31,125 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 77 | #31,856 |
| 2008 | modern | 74 | #32,460 |
| 2009 | modern | 76 | #32,635 |
| 2010 | modern | 77 | #32,927 |
| 2011 | modern | 70 | #33,465 |
| 2012 | modern | 69 | #33,695 |
| 2013 | modern | 74 | #33,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 78 | #33,270 |
| 2015 | modern | 78 | #33,210 |
| 2016 | modern | 77 | #33,236 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Frodingham, North, Lambeth, Barmston and Middlesborough. 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 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 2 | Frodingham, North | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Barmston | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 5 | Middlesborough | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hought 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 Hought, 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 Hought surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hought 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, Hought 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 Hought is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hought, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hought is rooted in early medieval English history, with its origins traceable to England during the Anglo-Saxon period. The name is believed to have emerged in the southwestern regions of England, particularly in places around Devon and Somerset. It is derived from Old English words, most likely "hoh," which means "heel," "spur of land," or "ridge," and "by," referring to a settlement or village.
Hought is linked to several similar spellings and variations found in historical records, such as Hougt, Hout, and Houghty. One of the earliest known records of the surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a man named Eadric de Hoga is noted. Although not an exact match, it is similar enough to suggest early etymological roots.
Walter de Hugo was an early baron mentioned in the 13th century, who held lands in Devon. This indicates that the name was significant in the region during that period. Additionally, Reverend John Hought, a notable religious figure, served as a vicar in the 16th century in Somerset. His contributions to the local community are well-documented in parish records.
The name appears in manorial rolls and medieval documents from the 14th century. Edward Hought, born around 1380, was a landowner in Devon, demonstrating the name's persistence and prominence in that area over generations. The surname also appears in the 1428 "Feudal Aid" records, illustrating its prevalence during the late medieval period.
In the same vein, Elizabeth Hought was a noted midwife in the early 1500s, whose practice was referenced in multiple local documents. Another significant figure is William Hought, a merchant born in 1617, who was involved in the wool trade—a vital industry in the English economy during the early modern period.
Lastly, the surname carried into the New World with John Hought, an English immigrant who settled in Massachusetts in the early 1700s. His lineage can be traced through various colonial records, showing the continued use and adaptation of the surname across different continents.
The surname Hought, with its deep English roots and historical prominence, fascinates not only for its linguistic origins but also for the notable individuals who have borne the name throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hought 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. Yorkshire leads with 48 Houghts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.76x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 48 | 7.76x |
| Lincolnshire | 10 | 10.02x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.41x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.02x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.47x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tealby in Lincolnshire leads with 10 Houghts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7142.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tealby | 10 | 7142.86x |
| Hutton Cranswick | 8 | 3076.92x |
| Holy Trinity | 6 | 40.32x |
| Cottingham | 5 | 375.94x |
| Kilham | 5 | 1923.08x |
| Barmston | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Ormesby | 4 | 240.96x |
| North Frodingham | 3 | 2000.00x |
| Preston | 3 | 15.14x |
| Bewholme Nunkeeling | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Bridlington | 2 | 140.85x |
| Newington | 2 | 117.65x |
| Wansford | 2 | 5000.00x |
| Bempton | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Bulwell | 1 | 54.64x |
| Dringhoe Upton Brough | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Great Driffield | 1 | 78.74x |
| Ilkeston | 1 | 36.50x |
| Neswick | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 12.71x |
| York St Sampson | 1 | 769.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hought surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hought surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Hought surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016. That gives Hought a modern rank of #33,236.
A locative surname from a place called Hought near Manchester, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hought 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.