Skip to content
  • Start free trial

Origins of the Hughes surname

A collage of historical images including two family portraits and a postcard of people boarding a ship

What does the name Hughes mean?

Hughes is an anglicised surname that is widespread in Wales and Ireland, although most often found in Anglesey. It is mostly patronymic, derived from the 'son of Hugh/Hu/Huw'. In Ireland the origins of the surname Hughes are thought to be similar, particularly in the North where settlers are believed to have brought the name with them on their arrival in the plantation of Ulster, although the root is also believed to be from the Irish name 'O hAodha, meaning 'descendant of Aodh' which was anglicised to 'Hugh'.

Alternative variations of the name Hughes

Hughes, Hugh, Hews, Hughs, Huse

“

I’ve managed to trace back to the mid-1500s! I can’t believe it! Utterly engrossing and I have uncovered some quite moving and heartbreaking stories attached to various ancestors. You don’t need any qualifications to start - just time patience, and some information.

SS
Stuart
TrustPilot review
1 of 3

Start your family tree

Trace your family back in time. Make new discoveries and see what other Findmypast family historians in our genealogy community have discovered about the Hugheses.

Sign up to get started

Delve deeper into the Hughes family's history

Where do most Hugheses live?

In 1921, most Hugheses lived in London.


Census records trace your ancestors through each generation, so you can follow where your relatives lived through each decade.

Interesting facts about Hugheses

How common is your surname?

29th most common surname in the UK

We have 853,000 records for the Hughes surname. The oldest one dates back to 1532.

Who were Hugheses most likely to marry?

Joneses

&

Williamses

Our Marriage record sets tell us which families married Hugheses.

What are the most common Hughes first names?

  • John
  • William
  • Mary
  • Elizabeth

Our birth record sets tell us the names of Hughes family members

Common jobs for Hugheses

Men and women often performed different types of jobs, so these are displayed by gender to maintain their historical accuracy.

Common Female occupations for Hugheses in 1921
Dressmaker

3,855

Domestic Servant

2,743

General Servant Domestic

2,640

House Servant

2,375

General Servant

2,267

Common Male occupations for Hugheses in 1921
Coal Miner

4,985

Farmer

3,762

General Labourer

3,385

Agricultural Labourer

2,860

Coal Miner Hewer

2,319

An image of a census transcript and a picture of a dairy farmer holding two milk jugs

Census records provide incredible detail on names, ages, marital statuses, occupations and more.

We found over 540,000 family trees with the Hughes surname

Trace your family back in time and see what other Findmypast family historians in our genealogy community have discovered about the Hugheses.

Search for a relative in our family trees

Share your discoveries

Find out more about your family in our records

or try an advanced search

Start your family history journey

Start free trial

Start free trial