Hughes Surname

The History and Significance of the Surname Hughes

The surname Hughes is of Welsh origin, derived from the Old French word "Hugues," which itself comes from the Old Germanic name "Hug." The meaning of the name is thought to be "heart," "mind," or "spirit." The surname Hughes is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's first name. In this case, Hughes is derived from the Welsh name "Hu," a shortened form of the name Hywel.

Origin and Distribution

The surname Hughes is most prevalent in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. The highest incidence of the surname Hughes is in the United States, with over 300,000 individuals bearing the name. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most common in England and Wales, with over 110,000 and 37,000 incidences, respectively.

In Australia, the surname Hughes is found in approximately 32,000 individuals, while in Canada, there are around 21,000 individuals with the surname. In Ireland, the surname Hughes is less common, with around 11,000 incidences. Other countries where the surname Hughes is prevalent include Scotland, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Argentina.

Famous Individuals with the Surname Hughes

Throughout history, there have been numerous notable individuals with the surname Hughes. One of the most famous individuals with the surname Hughes is Howard Hughes, an American business magnate, investor, and aviator. Howard Hughes was known for his eccentric lifestyle and was one of the wealthiest individuals in the world during his lifetime.

Another well-known individual with the surname Hughes is Langston Hughes, an American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright. Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s and focused on African American culture and artistic expression.

Other famous individuals with the surname Hughes include Rupert Hughes, an American novelist and playwright; Ted Hughes, an English poet and former Poet Laureate; and Sarah Hughes, an American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Coat of Arms

The surname Hughes is associated with several different coat of arms designs. One common design features a shield with a black background and a gold lion rampant in the center. The shield is topped with a helmet and mantling, and the crest features a lion rampant with a crown on its head. The motto "Sapienter si sincere" is often included on the coat of arms, which translates to "Wisely if sincerely." This coat of arms design is often associated with the Welsh origins of the surname Hughes.

Variant Spellings

Like many surnames, the surname Hughes has several variant spellings that have evolved over time. Some common variant spellings of the surname Hughes include Hughs, Hews, Hughs, Hues, and Huwes. These variant spellings may have originated from different regions or dialects, or they may have been the result of clerical errors or pronunciation differences.

Conclusion

The surname Hughes has a rich history and is associated with numerous famous individuals and coat of arms designs. It is prevalent in English-speaking countries and has a strong presence in the United States and the United Kingdom. The meaning of the surname Hughes, derived from the Old French word "Hugues," is often associated with qualities such as "heart," "mind," or "spirit." Overall, the surname Hughes is an important and significant surname with a long and illustrious history.

The surname Hughes in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent takes place in the case of Hughes, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that may be found in most of the countries of the globe. In the same way you will find nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of people with all the surname Hughes is higher than in other countries.

The map of the Hughes surname

View Hughes surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Hughes on the planet, helps us plenty. By putting ourselves in the map, for a tangible country, we can begin to see the tangible number of people with all the surname Hughes, to obtain this way the precise information of all Hughes that you could presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not only in which the surname Hughes comes from, but also in excatly what way the individuals who are initially the main household that bears the surname Hughes have moved and moved. In the same way, you can see by which places they will have settled and grown up, which is why if Hughes is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it is possible this 1 of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Hughes on the planet

  1. United States United States (301896)
  2. England England (116098)
  3. Wales Wales (37085)
  4. Australia Australia (32148)
  5. Canada Canada (21014)
  6. Ireland Ireland (11098)
  7. Scotland Scotland (9949)
  8. South Africa South Africa (9254)
  9. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (8757)
  10. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (6445)
  11. New Zealand New Zealand (5038)
  12. Argentina Argentina (1129)
  13. France France (991)
  14. Spain Spain (848)
  15. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (789)