Houghlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Houghlan is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in one of four places named Hoyland in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Houghlan belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Houghlan family

The surname Houghlan was first found in Yorkshire at either High Hoyland, Upper or Lower Hoyland, and Hoyland Swaine. All three parishes and villages are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086: Holand for Hoyland High; Hoiland for Hoyland Nether; and Hollande for Hoyland Swaine. 1 2

All of the villages literally mean "cultivated land on or near a hill-spur," from the Old English words "hoh" + "land." The latter "Swaine" variant is believed to be a manorial affix added in the 12th century from a man called, Swein. 3

Early History of the Houghlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Houghlan research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1147, 1172, 1187, 1540, 1591, 1600 and 1673 are included under the topic Early Houghlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Houghlan Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Houghlan were recorded, including Howland, Hoyland and others.

Early Notables of the Houghlan family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Howland D.D. (1540-1600), Bishop of Peterborough, the son and heir of John Howland, gentleman, of the city of London, and Anne Greenway of Cley, Norfolk, was...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Houghlan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Houghlan family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Houghlan family emigrate to North America: John Howland came over on the "Mayflower" in 1620 with his Elizabeth Carver; Henry Howland settled in New England in 1630; along with Arthur.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)