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

Hugs, 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 Hugs surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hugs in America

Hugs is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hugs surname appeared 107 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hugs.

The history of the last name Hugs

The surname Hugs is believed to have originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically in the present-day areas of Germany and Switzerland. Its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

One theory suggests that the name Hugs is derived from the Old High German word "hug," which means "hill" or "mound." This could indicate that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived near or on a hill, lending their name a geographical significance.

Another possibility is that the name Hugs is a variant of the German word "Hug," which was a nickname given to individuals with a cheerful or affectionate demeanor. It's not uncommon for surnames to originate from nicknames or personal characteristics in medieval times.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the Hugs surname can be found in various historical documents and records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, a certain Hainrich Hugs was mentioned in the town records of Ulm, Germany, in 1297. Additionally, a Johannes Hugs was listed in the tax records of Zurich, Switzerland, in 1353.

Over the centuries, the surname Hugs has undergone slight variations in spelling, such as Huges, Hughs, and Hugues, but the core pronunciation has remained relatively consistent. These variations were often a result of regional dialects or scribal errors in record-keeping.

Notable individuals with the surname Hugs throughout history include:

1. Hans Hugs (c. 1500-1571), a Swiss Protestant reformer and theologian, known for his work in propagating the teachings of Huldrych Zwingli.
2. Johann Jakob Hugs (1722-1796), a German philosopher and author, best known for his work "Kritik der Erfahrung" (Critique of Experience).
3. Maria Hugs (1804-1876), a German novelist and poet, whose works explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality.
4. Wilhelm Hugs (1863-1934), a German architect and urban planner, responsible for designing several iconic buildings in Berlin and Hamburg.
5. Elsa Hugs (1898-1983), a Swiss painter and sculptor, renowned for her abstract expressionist works and involvement in the Zurich Dada movement.

While the surname Hugs may have originated in a specific geographical region, it has since spread globally, with individuals bearing this name found in various countries and cultures. However, its roots can be traced back to the rich history and linguistic traditions of the German-speaking regions of Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hugs

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hugs 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 Hugs was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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