Show ContentsHaughton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Haughton family, who lived in Haughton, Cheshire. The name of this place derives from the Old English word halh, which means nook or recess, and tun, which means village or settlement. [1]

Early Origins of the Haughton family

The surname Haughton was first found in Cheshire at Haughton (or Haughton Moss), a village and civil parish. This village is by far the largest of the listings of the place name in England. Looking back further, there are at least three listings of the place name Haughton in the Domesday Book in its earliest forms: Hoctum in Nottinghamshire; Haustone in Shropshire; and Halstone or Haltone in Staffordshire. [2]

Today Haughton Castle is a privately owned country mansion near the village of Humshaugh, Northumberland and dates back to the 13th century when it was a tower house. It was enlarged and fortified in the 14th century. By the 16th century, the castle had fallen into ruin, but by the early 19th century the ruins were converted into the mansion it is today. Houghton Hall is a country house in Norfolk, England built for British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.

Another early branch of the family was found at Hooton, again in Cheshire. "This place, in the Domesday Book, is included in the possessions of Richard de Vernon, the Norman Baron of Shipbrook, under whom it was held by a family named Hotone, which became extinct in the male line in the reign of Richard I. It then passed by marriage to Randle Walensis or Welshman, after which alliance, his family occasionally assumed the name of Hotone." [3]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John de Haleghton, Yorkshire; and Alexander de Houhton, Cambridgeshire. [4]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Matilda de Halghton, huswyf, webster, 1370; and Willelmus de Halghton, 1379. [4]

The Assize Rolls of Staffordshire included: Robert de Haleghton in 1242. [5]

Adam de Houghton or Houtone (d. 1389), was Bishop of St. David's and Chancellor of England, "born at Caerforiog in the parish of Whitchurch, near St. David's, but his name clearly shows that his family was of English or Norman origin. Foss's conjecture that he was a son of John de Houghton, Baron of the Exchequer in 1347, seems untenable. Adam de Houghton was educated at Oxford, where he took the degree of doctor of laws. " [6]

Early History of the Haughton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haughton research. Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1114, 1130, 1488, 1535, 1548, 1597, 1604, 1605, 1621, 1624, 1642, 1647, 1663, 1691, 1705 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Haughton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haughton Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Haughton, Houghton, Hoctor, Hector and others.

Early Notables of the Haughton family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • William Haughton (died 1605), was an English playwright in the age of English Renaissance theatre, best known for his comedy entitled "Englishmen for My Money." He is thought to have been the same Wil...

Haughton Ranking

In the United States, the name Haughton is the 12,611st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [7]

Ireland Migration of the Haughton family to Ireland

Some of the Haughton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Haughton migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Haughton or a variant listed above:

Haughton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Henry Haughton, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1629 [8]
  • Thomas Haughton, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Robert Haughton, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • George Haughton, who arrived in Maryland in 1660 [8]
  • Eleanor Haughton, who landed in Maryland in 1674 [8]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Haughton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • A. Haughton, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Haughton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Edmond Haughton, who settled in America, in 1906
  • Bridget Haughton, aged 22, who landed in America from Headford, Co. Kerry, Ireland, in 1906
  • Dora Haughton, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Manchester, England, in 1908
  • Charles Haughton, aged 20, who settled in America from Carrigallen, Ireland, in 1909
  • Annie Haughton, aged 16, who landed in America from Ahaseragh, Ireland, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Haughton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Haughton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

New Zealand Haughton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Haughton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • W. H. Haughton, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1870
  • Joseph Haughton, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1879

West Indies Haughton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [11]
Haughton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Gerard Haughton, who settled in Barbados in 1639

Contemporary Notables of the name Haughton (post 1700) +

  • David Haughton (b. 1991), American professional basketball player
  • Percy Duncan Haughton (1876-1924), American football and baseball player and coach from Staten Island, New York, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1951
  • William R "Billy" Haughton (1923-1986), American harness driver and trainer with a career record of 4,910 wins
  • Richard Haughton, American politician, Delegate to Whig National Convention from Massachusetts, 1839 [12]
  • Nicholas Haughton, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 16th District, 1872 [12]
  • Moses Haughton the Younger (1772-1848), English miniature-painter and engraver, born at Wednesbury, nephew of Moses Haughton the Elder
  • Moses Haughton the Elder (1734-1804), English painter of still-life and enamel-painter, born at Wednesbury, Staffordshire
  • Sidney Henry Haughton (1888-1982), English-born South African paleontologist and geologist, best known for his description of the sauropodomorph dinosaur Melanorosaurus in 1924
  • Colin Haughton (b. 1972), English badminton player from Denton near Manchester who held the No. 1 position in the national rankings
  • Simon J. Haughton (b. 1975), English professional rugby league and rugby union footballer
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Cyril Haughton (b. 1913), English Warrant Engineer serving for the Royal Navy from Rainham, Kent, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [13]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. F Haughton, British C O A, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [14]


The Haughton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malgre le tort
Motto Translation: Despite the wrong.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  10. South Australian Register Friday 26th August 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Magdalena 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/magdalena1853.shtml
  11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  12. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 5) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  13. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  14. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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