Contents [hide]

Hughes History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Hughes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Ireland
Wales

The surname Hughes is a name whose history dates far back into the mists of Medieval France to a region once known as Brittany (French: Bretagne). It is a name for the Germanic personal name Hugo, which itself comes from the Old German word "hug," which means "intelligence."

Early Origins of the Hughes family

The surname Hughes was first found in Languedoc, where the family has held a family seat since very early times.

Throughout the centuries this ancient family expanded, developed, and grew in size and influence. By the 17th century the family was well established in the region of Languedoc and several members of this well known family were distinctive in their contribution toward the community in which they lived and were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility. Descending from the original line of Languedoc was Noble Guillaume Hugues, who as rewarded for his large contribution in the religious affairs of the region was elevated to Archbishop of Embrun in 1612.

Along with the event of their time, members of this celebrated family pursued their belief with strong conviction for their King, crown and country and served as Gentlemen of the Chamber and Advisors of the King. The family of Languedoc knew further development and in 1695 the head of the family branch of Aix was elected Mayor. This esteemed family also had members who were responsible for the business matters of the region of Provence.

Early History of the Hughes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hughes research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1090 is included under the topic Early Hughes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hughes Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of French surnames; in part, as spelling, and the spelling names was not yet standardized during the early development of the written French language. Later, there was much branching and movement of families, and spellings would change according to region. Variations of the name Hughes include Hugues, de Hugues, Hughues, Hougues, Houghues, Ugues, Huggues and many more.

Early Notables of the Hughes family

More information is included under the topic Early Hughes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hughes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hughes is the 88^th most popular surname with an estimated 228,804 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Hughes is ranked the 165^th most popular surname with an estimated 21,019 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Hughes is the 59^th popular surname with an estimated 36,247 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Hughes as 60^th with 5,033 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Hughes as 16^th with 129,681 people. 5

Hughes migration to the United States +

French settlers came early to North American, following in the wake of the explorers, and creating New France. Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is said to have been the first American site founded as a permanent settlement, rather than as just a commercial outpost. But emigration was slow, in 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 French people in Quebec, and by 1663, when the region was officially made The Royal Colony of New France, by Louis XIV, there still only around 500 settlers. Over 2,000 would arrive during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted immigrants, both noble and commoner from France. By 1675, there were around 7000 French in the colony, and by that same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Despite the loss of the Colony to England, the French people flourished in Lower Canada. Among settlers to North America of the Hughes surname were

Hughes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Hughes, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo
Joshua Hughes, who landed in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1634 6
Griffith Hughes, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1635 6
Jo Hughes, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 6
Owen Hughes, aged 27, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas & John"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Valentine Hughes, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 6
Richard Hughes, who settled in Georgia with his wife and five sons in 1733
Joseph Hughes, who landed in Georgia in 1738 6
Lucy Hughes, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 6
Thomas Hughes, who settled in Georgia in 1744
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Hughes, aged 35, who landed in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1805 6
Jane Hughes, who landed in America in 1805 6
Lawrence Hughes, who landed in America in 1809 6
James Hughes, who landed in New Jersey in 1811 6
Robert Hughes, aged 56, who landed in New York in 1812 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Henry P Hughes, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 6
Mr. Arthur Jordan Hughes, (b. 1870), aged 34, Canadian private secretary from Padstow, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Carpathia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th July 1904 en route to Toronto, Ontario, USA 7
Mrs. Adele Hughes, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish settler from Liskeard, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd April 1905 en route to New York, USA 7

Hughes migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hughes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Stephen Hughes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Heny Hughes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Charles Hughes U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 214 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 8
Mr. James Hughes U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 8
Mr. John Hughes U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Matthew Hughes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1821
Ellis Hughes, who arrived in Canada in 1828
Joel Hughes, who arrived in Canada in 1831
John Hughes, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Ellen Hughes, aged 30, a widow, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hughes Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Mathew Hughes, (Mathias), (b. 1770), aged 28, Irish soldier who was convicted in County Down, Ireland for life for murder, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1845 9

Hughes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Alice Hughes, (b. 1787), aged 26, Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Benjamin Hughes, English labourer who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Thomas Hughes, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. John Hughes, (b. 1781), aged 35, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Hugh Hughes, (Davis, John), British Convict who was convicted in Chester Quarter Sessions for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hughes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Arthur Hughes, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "David Owen" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 15
John Hughes, who landed in Moriaki, New Zealand in 1840
Stephen Edward Hughes, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
William Hughes, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Thomas Hughes, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hughes migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Hughes Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Hughes, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 6
Mr. Lewes Hughes, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 17
Richard Hughes, who settled in Barbados in 1654
Lewes Hughes, who settled in Barbados in 1654-1661
Richard Hughes, who settled in Barbados in 1654-1663

Contemporary Notables of the name Hughes (post 1700) +

Leon Hughes Sr. (1930-2023), American rhythm and blues singer, the last surviving original member of The Coasters
Thomas Lowe Hughes (1925-2023), American government official, Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1963-1969)
Robert John Hughes (1930-2022), British-born American journalist, a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Indonesia and the Overseas Press Club Award for an investigation into the international narcotics traffic, editor of The Christian Science Monitor and The Deseret News and is a former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors
Dorothy Pitman Hughes (b. 1938), née Ridley, an American feminist, child-welfare advocate, activist, public speaker, author, and small business owner
Bradley Wayne Hughes (1933-2021), American billionaire businessman, the founder and chairman of Public Storage, the largest self-storage company in the U.S. doing business as a REIT or real estate investment trust
Eugene M. Hughes (1934-2021), American educator, President of Northern Arizona University from 1979 to 1993 and President of Wichita State University from 1993 to 1998
Gary Hughes (1941-2020), American baseball executive, coach and scout
Second Lieutenant Lloyd Herbert Hughes (b. 1921), American officer awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1943
Mike Hughes (1956-2020), known as "Mad" Mike Hughes, an American limousine driver, daredevil, and flat Earth conspiracy theorist
Harry Roe Hughes (1926-2019), American Democratic Party politician, Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; Lawyer; Member of Maryland State House of Delegates, 1955-59; Member of Maryland State Senate District 15, 1959-71; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1964, 1996;
... (Another 338 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hughes family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Steven William Hughes (1947-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Bucklands Beach, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 18

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Charles W Hughes (1965-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Cleburne, Texas, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
Mr. Frank J Hughes (1955-1985), American Staff Sergeant from North Carrollton, Alabama, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19

Bradford City stadium fire

John Hughes (1921-1985), from Bradford who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire

Empress of Ireland

Mr. William Henry Hughes, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. William Lawrence Hughes, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Hugh Hughes, British Bedroom Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Helena Hughes (1872-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 21
Mr. Peter J. Hughes (1878-1917), Canadian Stevedore employee at the Canadian Pacific Railway from Black Point, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21

Hillsborough disaster

Eric George Hughes (1946-1989), English sales executive who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 22

HMS Hood

Mr. William F Hughes (b. 1916), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Kingston, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23
Mr. Hugh Hughes (b. 1914), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. George Thomas Hughes, English Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
Mr. Verdon Hughes, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24
Mr. David William Benjamin Hughes, British Coder, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. Alfie Hughes, British Gunner, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Alfred Hughes, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Richard Hughes, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Michael James Hughes, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. John J Hughes, British Leading Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Royal Oak

Thomas Hughes (1901-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
Frederick Edward Hughes (1922-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Owen Hughes, English Greaser from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Mr. John Edward Hughes, English Hospital Attendant from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Miss Ellen Hughes, English Stewardess from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 27
Master William Wilson Hughes, English Steward's Young Assistant from Cheshire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Mr. William Hughes, English Assistant Cook from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Thomas Hughes (d. 1912), aged 33, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. David Hughes (b. 1864), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Hugh Hughes (b. 1891), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Humphrey Hughes (b. 1894), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. John Hughes (b. 1873), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Ruben Thomas Hughes (b. 1892), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

St. Francis Dam

Mr. Grittith O. Hughes, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Mrs. Joy "Nettie" Hughes, (nee Barnesberger), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Miss Barbara Ellen Hughes, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Miss June Beverly Hughes, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

Mr. James C. Hughes, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 29
Mr. Bernard Thomas Hughes, American Musician Second Class from Pennsylvania, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 29
Mr. Lewis Burton Hughes Jr., American Seaman First Class from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 29
Mr. Marvin Austin Hughes, American Private from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 29

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html