Show ContentsHorrough History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Horrough is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who had grey hair or appeared aged. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames, referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been Norman in origin. In this case, it was derived from the "Norman-French pronunciation of Aure, with an aspirate. The name Aure, Alre, or Auré was a Breton name, derived from Auray, in Bretagne, of which the family were hereditary Castellans." 2

Another source claims the name was from Ore in Sussex and literally meant "dweller by the bank" from the Old English word "ora." 3

Early Origins of the Horrough family

The surname Horrough was first found in Suffolk and Middlesex and other counties throughout Britain. By example, William Hore was listed in Suffolk in 1188, Robert, William le Hore was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1203. Gilbert de Hore was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex in 1200 and Richard de la Hore was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Devon in 1230. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Adam le Hore in Derbyshire, John le Horre in Norfolk, and Alicia la Hore in Oxfordshire. Kirby's Quest of Somerset lists Richard le Hore there temp. 1 Edward III. 1 4

In southern England in the parish of St. Ervan, Cornwall early records of another branch of the family were found. "Another reputed manor in this parish called Trenowth, was for several generations the property and residence of a family called Hore, with whom it remained so late as the time of Norden; but this estate has long since ceased to be considered as a manor." 5

Early History of the Horrough family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horrough research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1188, 1203, 1208, 1230, 1235, 1622, 1630, 1638, 1648, 1675, 1704, 1707, 1710, 1712, 1713, 1719, 1773, 1792 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Horrough History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horrough Spelling Variations

Horrough has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Horrough have been found, including Hoar, Hoare, Hore and others.

Early Notables of the Horrough family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Leonard Hoar (1630-1675), an English-born early American settler, minister and educator born in Gloucestershire arriving in America c. 1638, who later became President of Harvard College. He was the fourth son of Charles Hoare. Some time after the death of his father in 1638 he emigrated with his mother to America. 6 John Hoar (1622-1704), was an American militia leader & Indian liaison in colonial Massachusetts during King Philip's War, best known for securing the release of Mary Rowlandson from Indian captivity at Redemption Rock Sir Richard Hoare (1648-1719), was Sheriff of London in 1710...
Another 136 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Horrough Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Horrough family to Ireland

Some of the Horrough family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Horrough family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Horroughs to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Hoar settled in Barbados in 1685; John Hoar settled in Salem in 1823; Edward Hoare settled in Barbados in 1685; John Hoare settled in New England in 1630.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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