Find out how popular the last name Houst is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Houst.

Houst, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Houst surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Houst in America

Houst is the 122534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Houst surname appeared 130 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Houst.

The history of the last name Houst

The surname Houst finds its origin in the Anglo-Saxon regions of Britain, primarily dating back to the Early Medieval period around the 12th century. Its etymology is intricately tied to the Old English words hus, meaning "house," and stede, meaning "place" or "site." This suggests that Houst originally described someone who lived near or was responsible for a prominent house or estate.

Houst is a locative surname, which were common in medieval England, often derived from a notable geographical feature of the land or a specific location. Early medieval records do not widely document the surname, indicating it was a rare but well-recognized name within certain communities. One of the earliest references appears in the form of Hugh de Houste in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1204, an early medieval legal record which sheds light on individuals involved in legal disputes and land claims.

The name Houst exhibits various old spellings, including Huste, Howst, and even Houste. Over time, its spelling and pronunciation would adapt to regional dialects and linguistic shifts within English society. In the 13th century, one prominent bearer of the name was Sir Robert de Houste, who served as a local magistrate in the Norfolk region, known for his judicious rulings and contribution to early English common law. His legacy continued through his descendants who maintained the Houste spelling for several generations before it simplified to Houst.

A significant historical figure bearing this surname includes Richard Houst, a 14th-century landowner documented in the Pipe Rolls of 1379. Richard was notable not only for his land acquisitions but also for his participation in various royal commissions under King Edward III, leaving behind records of his prominence in the governmental affairs of his time.

Fast forward to the 16th century, the name appears again with John Houst, born in 1523, who became a well-respected figure within the cloth trade in East Anglia. His prosperity in the textile industry was recorded in local merchant guild records, outlining his contributions to the economic development of his community until his death in 1591.

By the 17th century, the surname Houst had spread beyond its initial regions, reaching the New World during the period of English colonization. Among these early settlers was Mary Houst, christened in 1607 in Yorkshire, who later emigrated to the Virginia Colony in 1624, where she became a notable figure among the early colonial settlers, fostering transatlantic connections between England and the American colonies.

Lastly, in the late 18th century, the name finds mention with Thomas Houst, born in 1765 in Lancashire, who became known for his involvement in the local resistance movement during the Industrial Revolution. His records reflect his dedication to workers' rights and community welfare until his passing in 1823.

The surname Houst, through its many historical references and notable bearers, highlights the social evolution and regional impact of the families who held the name, tracing a legacy back through centuries, rich with cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Houst

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Houst.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Houst was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Houst was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Houst, please contact us.

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