Show ContentsHoam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Hoam surname are thought to be habitational, that is, derived from a pre-existing place name. The place name in turn is based on the Old English word "hoh," meaning "the spur of a hill."

Early Origins of the Hoam family

The surname Hoam was first found in Kent at Hougham, a parish, in the union of Newark, wapentake of Loveden 1 where one of the first records of the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1207 as William de Huham. 2 Today Church Hougham and West Hougham, collectively known as "Hougham" are within Hougham Without, in the district of Dover. The Channel Tunnel runs underground just south of West Hougham. Hougham is also small parish in Lincolnshire and ironically it is this parish which is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hacham. 3

Early History of the Hoam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoam research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1157, 1199, 1606 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Hoam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoam Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hoam family name include Hougham, Huffam and others.

Early Notables of the Hoam family

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

Migration of the Hoam family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Hoam surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Pearce Houghan, who arrived in Maryland in 1679; Solomon Huffam, who arrived in Virginia in 1721; and William Huffam, who came to New York, NY in 1822..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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