Show ContentsHougham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Hougham surname are thought to be habitational, that is, derived from a pre-existing place name. The place name in turn is based on the Old English word "hoh," meaning "the spur of a hill."

Early Origins of the Hougham family

The surname Hougham was first found in Kent at Hougham, a parish, in the union of Newark, wapentake of Loveden 1 where one of the first records of the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1207 as William de Huham. 2 Today Church Hougham and West Hougham, collectively known as "Hougham" are within Hougham Without, in the district of Dover. The Channel Tunnel runs underground just south of West Hougham. Hougham is also small parish in Lincolnshire and ironically it is this parish which is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hacham. 3

Early History of the Hougham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hougham research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1157, 1199, 1606 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Hougham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hougham Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hougham include Hougham, Huffam and others.

Early Notables of the Hougham family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Soloman Hougham, esquire, who was Sheriff of Kent in 1696


United States Hougham migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Hougham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David D. Hougham, aged 60, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Servia" from Liverpool, England 4
Hougham Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ernest Hougham, aged 4, originally from Cardiff, Wales, arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Laurentic" from Liverpool, England 4
  • Ruth Hougham, aged 2, originally from Cardiff, Wales, arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Laurentic" from Liverpool, England 4
  • Winifred Hougham, originally from Cardiff, Wales, arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Laurentic" from Liverpool, England 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Hougham (post 1700) +

  • John Scherer Hougham (1821-1894), American academic, Purdue University’s first appointed professor in 1874


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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