Hourd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Hourd is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for 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 Hourd family

The surname Hourd 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 Hourd family

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

Hourd Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hourd have been found, including Hoar, Hoare, Hore and others.

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

Migration of the Hourd family to Ireland

Some of the Hourd 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.

Hourd migration to Canada +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Hourd surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Hourd Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Aaron Hourd, who landed in Canada in 1830
Jehiel Hourd, who arrived in Canada in 1830
William Hourd, who landed in Canada in 1830

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print