Show ContentsHaught History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Haught

What does the name Haught mean?

Haught is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Haught family lived in Haughton, Cheshire. The name of this place derives from the Old English word halh, which means nook or recess, and tun, which means village or settlement. 1

Early Origins of the Haught family

The surname Haught was first found in Cheshire at Haughton (or Haughton Moss), a village and civil parish. This village is by far the largest of the listings of the place name in England. Looking back further, there are at least three listings of the place name Haughton in the Domesday Book in its earliest forms: Hoctum in Nottinghamshire; Haustone in Shropshire; and Halstone or Haltone in Staffordshire. 2

Today Haughton Castle is a privately owned country mansion near the village of Humshaugh, Northumberland and dates back to the 13th century when it was a tower house. It was enlarged and fortified in the 14th century. By the 16th century, the castle had fallen into ruin, but by the early 19th century the ruins were converted into the mansion it is today. Houghton Hall is a country house in Norfolk, England built for British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.

Another early branch of the family was found at Hooton, again in Cheshire. "This place, in the Domesday Book, is included in the possessions of Richard de Vernon, the Norman Baron of Shipbrook, under whom it was held by a family named Hotone, which became extinct in the male line in the reign of Richard I. It then passed by marriage to Randle Walensis or Welshman, after which alliance, his family occasionally assumed the name of Hotone." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John de Haleghton, Yorkshire; and Alexander de Houhton, Cambridgeshire. 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Matilda de Halghton, huswyf, webster, 1370; and Willelmus de Halghton, 1379. 4

The Assize Rolls of Staffordshire included: Robert de Haleghton in 1242. 5

Adam de Houghton or Houtone (d. 1389), was Bishop of St. David's and Chancellor of England, "born at Caerforiog in the parish of Whitchurch, near St. David's, but his name clearly shows that his family was of English or Norman origin. Foss's conjecture that he was a son of John de Houghton, Baron of the Exchequer in 1347, seems untenable. Adam de Houghton was educated at Oxford, where he took the degree of doctor of laws. " 6

Early History of the Haught family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haught research. Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1114, 1130, 1488, 1535, 1548, 1597, 1604, 1605, 1621, 1624, 1642, 1647, 1663, 1691, 1705 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Haught History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haught Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Haught has been recorded under many different variations, including Haughton, Houghton, Hoctor, Hector and others.

Early Notables of the Haught family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • William Haughton (died 1605), was an English playwright in the age of English Renaissance theatre, best known for his comedy entitled "Englishmen for My Money." He is thought to have been the same Wil...

Haught Ranking

In the United States, the name Haught is the 8,382nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Haught family to Ireland

Some of the Haught family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Haught migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Haughts were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Haught Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Harry Haught, originally from Bootle, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 8
  • Albert H. Haught, aged 33, destined for Indianapolis, Ind., arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Espagne" from Bordeaux, France 8
  • Cecilia P. Haught, aged 20, destined for Washington, D. C., U. S. A., arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Cantigney" from Antwerp, Belgium 8
  • Estella C. Haught, destined for Washington, D. C., U. S. A., arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Cantigney" from Antwerp, Belgium 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Haught (post 1700) +

  • John F. Haught, American Roman Catholic theologian
  • Gary Allen Haught (b. 1970), American former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics in the 1997 season
  • James F. Haught (b. 1924), American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Wood County, 1959-60 9
  • Eldon J. Haught, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Ritchie County Democratic Party, 1969-70, 1983; Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates 7th District, 1976 9
  • Dale A. Haught, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State Senate 19th District, 1970 9


The Haught Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malgre le tort
Motto Translation: Despite the wrong.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 5) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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