Surname Housman - Meaning and Origin
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Housman: What does the surname Housman mean?
The last name Housman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, likely coming from either an English or Scottish origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word “husmann,” which translates as “house-servant.” This implies a familial connection with someone who was employed to work in a noble household. The spelling of many surnames changed over time, so the original form of the name may have been Houman, Howman, or some other variation.
The surname could also have been derived from the Old English word “husmann,” which translates as “house-manager.” This would suggest that the family was in charge of the maintenance of a noble estate or grange.
It is highly likely that the Housmans were an established family prior to the era of the Norman Conquest. The surname does appear in ancient records of the earliest English kings, such as William the Conqueror. It is also found in various parish registers in the 16th and 17th centuries, confirming that it was an established name in England before the middle ages.
The spread of the family name Housman is quite well documented throughout the years. By the 19th century, it was found throughout the British Isles, especially in the north and west. Today the surname is widely used in British, American, and Australian locales, generally having a similar resonance as it did in the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisHousman: Where does the name Housman come from?
The surname Housman is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States today. It is especially prevalent in the north of England, particularly in counties such as Shropshire, Derbyshire, Hertfordshire, and Lancashire.
In terms of America, the surname is mostly linked to individuals with Welsh ancestry. Research shows that a number of the earliest settlers of the country with the surname Housman, came in 1620 from Wales, and their families have been established there ever since. Housman is also a fairly common surname in South Africa, Australia, and Canada too.
The geographical spread of the surname is broad, extending beyond the borders of Britain and even Europe, demonstrating the mobility of its bearers over the years.
In modern times, the surname Housman is still a rather common one. Its popularity is demonstrated by the fact that almost 6,000 people in Great Britain are registered as using the name today. Similarly, in the United States, there are an estimated 10,000 individuals living today who have this surname.
Variations of the surname Housman
The surname Housman has several variants and spellings, as well as surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants and spellings of Housman include Housman, Houser, Housar, Housen, Husman, Huseman and Hausman. These are a few of the variants of the common surname, but there are many others.
The origin of the surname is quite complex and its root is believed to have first been established in the British Isles. It is thought that the name is derived from the Old Norse personal name Hrósmundr. In Old English, the name was spelt Housmon or Husmon, and over time became known as Housman.
Variants of the surname have also been used in other countries, including Germany, Denmark and Sweden. In Germany, the surname is found as Hussmann or Hüsmann. In the Netherlands, it is spelled Huizing or Huisman.
The variant surnames with the same origin are Hoey, Hooke, Hules, Humm and Humpstone.
Other surnames of the same origin usually have similar spellings, such as Housley, Hooson, Huesmann, Husum and Husseman.
Ultimately, the spelling of the surname, its variants and related surnames are just a reflection of the original root - Housman.
Famous people with the name Housman
- Laurence Housman: British playwright, associated with the British Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
- A. E. Housman: English classical scholar and poet best known for A Shropshire Lad collection.
- Leo Housman: A British actor who starred in movies such as The Great Escape,The Children, and The FIG Tree.
- Lee Housman: American painter and illustrator.
- Peter Housman: A British actor who played in British television and theater productions.
- Joshua Housman: British actor who starred in The Crown and Game of Thrones.
- David Housman: American professor of molecular genetics and psychiatry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Julie Housman: American actress who appeared in television series like Dynasty, 227, and Family Ties.
- Frank Housman: Pulitzer Prize-winning author who wrote studies about Confederate commander-in-chief Robert E. Lee.
- Ted Housman: American football coach who was a defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan.