Houghlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Houghlin is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in one of four places named Hoyland in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Houghlin 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 Houghlin family

The surname Houghlin 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 Houghlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Houghlin 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 Houghlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Houghlin Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Houghlin has been spelled many different ways, including Howland, Hoyland and others.

Early Notables of the Houghlin 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 Houghlin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Houghlin family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Houghlins to arrive in 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)