House History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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The name House comes from one of the family having worked as a person employed "at the house"; in most cases, this was a religious house or convent. The surname House is derived from the Old English word hus, which means house. In some cases, the name House may be a form of the surname Howes. It is thought to have been an occupational name for a person employed "at the house"; in most cases, this was a religious house or convent. 1

Early Origins of the House family

The surname House was first found in Oxfordshire where Simon Hus was listed at Eynsham in 1226. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Geoffrey de la House, Huntingdonshire; William de la House, Huntingdonshire; and Richard de la Huse, Buckinghamshire. 3

In Somerset, the first record there was Jacob Huse, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 4

In Cheshire, Walter del Hus was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1289 and in Kent, William atte House was found in the Feet of Fines for 1331. Much later, Nicholas Howse and Robert Howes were listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 2

"House is a very common name in the Bridgewater district [of Somerset]. Howse is the Wiltshire form of the name, and reference to its origin will be found under that county." 5

Early History of the House family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our House research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1603, 1607, 1610, 1611, 1631, 1632, 1644, 1650, 1659 and 1718 are included under the topic Early House History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

House 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 House have been found, including: House, Howse, Howes, Hoose, Hows, Houser, Hooser and others.

Early Notables of the House family

Distinguished members of the family include Edmund Howes (fl. 1607-1631), English chronicler who lived in London, and designated himself 'gentleman.' "Howes's first edition of Stow's 'Abridgement, or Summarie of the English Chronicle,' appeared in 1607. A dedication to Sir Henry Rowe, the lord mayor, a few notices of 'sundry memorable antiquities,' and a continuation of `maters forrein and domesticall' between 1603 and 1607, constitute Howes's contributions. In 1611 Howes issued another edition of the same work, with a further continuation...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early House Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

House Ranking

In the United States, the name House is the 688th most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name House is ranked the 119th most popular surname with an estimated 300 people with that name. 7


House migration to the United States +

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 House, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

House Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
House Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
House Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

House migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

House Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
House Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

House migration to Australia +

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

House Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

House 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:

House Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

House 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
House Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name House (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name House +
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