Show ContentsHots History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hots is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came from the name Hudd, a pet form of both Hugh and Richard. 1 2 The surname Hots features the patronymic suffix -son, which was most common in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes in popularity during the 14th century.

Early Origins of the Hots family

The surname Hots was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was John Hudsone, Hutson who was listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1323. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes Hudson; Johannes Hudeson; and Adam Huddeson. 2

There are numerous entries for the name further north in Scotland. One of the first on record there was James Hudson, a charter witness in Kelso in 1466. John Hudsone and Willie Hutson were tenants on land of the Abbey of Kelso in 1567. 4

The castle of Woodcroft in Etton, Northampton was the scene of a rather gruesome event of one of the family. "Castle Woodcroft, is said to have been the scene of the murder of Dr. Hudson, chaplain of Charles I, who was forced over the battlements by the parliamentarian forces stationed here, who, hacking with their swords the hands by which he endeavoured to cling to the walls, caused him to fall into the moat beneath, where he was instantly put to death. The castle has been restored by Earl Fitzwilliam; the tower from which Dr. Hudson was thrown, and the moat in which he was killed, are still entire." 5

Early History of the Hots family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hots research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1567, 1611, 1612, 1615, 1619, 1630, 1637, 1638, 1660, 1662, 1672, 1676, 1682, 1719 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Hots History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hots Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hots has been recorded under many different variations, including Hudson, Hutson and others.

Early Notables of the Hots family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hots Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hots family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hots or a variant listed above: Robert Hudson, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; William Hudson, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Ralph Hudson, who settled in Massachusetts with his wife Marie and three children in 1635.



  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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