Show ContentsHouseham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Househam. It was a name given to someone who was a person employed "at the house." In most cases, this was a religious house or convent. The surname Househam is derived from the Old English word hus, which means house, and the word man, which means servant. [1]

Early Origins of the Househam family

The surname Househam was first found in Yorkshire where Johannes Howsman was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. A few years earlier John Houseman was found in Colchester, Essex in 1365. [2]

"This surname, early found in Yorkshire, crossed the border and settled in the neighbourhood of Lancaster. A well-known vicar of Lancaster bore this name at the beginning of the century. Two hundred years earlier the name occurs in local Wills." [3]

Early History of the Househam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Househam research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1365, 1604, 1622, 1630, 1636, 1696, 1714, 1759 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Househam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Househam 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 Househam have been found, including Houseman, Housemayne, Houssemayne, Housman, Howseman and many more.

Early Notables of the Househam family

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

Migration of the Househam family

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 for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Househam, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: William Houseman, who sailed to Barbados in 1635; John Houseman to Virginia in 1699; William Howsman to Nova Scotia in 1749; Henry Houseman to Carolina in 1774.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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