Housein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

Early Origins of the Housein family

The surname Housein was first found in Midlothian, where "the old Scottish mode of spelling Hugh was Hew, as especially in the family of Dalrymple. In Renfrewshire, where the surname abounds, it is pronounced Hewie's-son." 1

According to the voice of tradition, "the family are descended from John Howison, burgess of Edinburgh, 1450. The first ancestor of the family and his son, were farmers, and rescued James I from an attack made upon him when he had strayed from his attendants, while hunting near Cramond Bridge, and having saved the king's life by beating off his assailants with their flails, held a basin and a towel to wash his wounds. For these timely services they were rewarded with a grant of the lands of Braehead, the reddendo in the charter being 'Servitium Lava-cri,' a service that was complied with to George IV, at the banquet of the magistrates of Edinburgh in 1822." 2

Another source confirms John Howison, was burgess of Edinburgh in 1450, but makes no mention of saving the king. This source notes "his son had a charter of Cramond Regis, 1465. Nicholas Howvson, [was] presbyter of S. Andrew's diocese, 1475. John Howison admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1406, and another John Howison was member of assize in an Aberdeen shipping case, 1451." 3

Further to the south in England, the family claim descent from the Normans. There the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Roger Housin in 1198. 4

In Norfolk, early records show Simon Howissone was rector of Attleburgh in 1374 and John Howesson was rector of Scoulton. 5

A few years later, Henricus Howesson was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 6

In about the same area, Henry Howsone was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. Later in Yorkshire, Thomas Hughesson was listed there in 1389; and William Hewson was found there in 1437. 7

Early History of the Housein family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Housein research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1519, 1546, 1557, 1567, 1577, 1587, 1592, 1598, 1600, 1603, 1619, 1628, 1632, 1711, 1787, 1798, 1823 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Housein History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Housein Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Howison, Howieson, Howeson, Howyson, Howson and others.

Early Notables of the Housein family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Howson (c.1557-1632), English academic, Bishop of Oxford from 1619, Bishop of Durham from 1628. He was "born in the parish of St. Bride, London, about 1557, was educated at St. Paul's School, whence he proceeded to Christ Church, Oxford, and was elected a...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Housein Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Housein family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Howieson arrived in Philadelphia in 1878.

The Housein 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: Sursum corda
Motto Translation: Hearts upwards.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)