Surname Haugh - Meaning and Origin

Haugh: What does the surname Haugh mean?

The surname Haugh is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is topographical, derived from the Old English term "halh," denoting a nook, corner, recess, or remote valley. This surname was typically given to individuals who resided in or near such a geographical feature. Over time, "halh" evolved into various forms, including "hough," "haugh," "halgh," and others, depending on the regional accents and dialects. Therefore, the surname Haugh indicates one's ancestral ties to certain geographical locations within England. As with many surnames, variations in spelling exist due to historical record discrepancies, migration, and regional influences. These can include Haugh, Hough, Haw, and others. Notable people with the surname Haugh include American composer Daron Hagen and British mathematician Michael Anthony Haugh.

Haugh: Where does the name Haugh come from?

The surname Haugh is of Anglo-Saxon origin, traceable back to historical Great Britain. The name is a topographical surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. 'Haugh' is derived from Old English 'haga' or Old Norse 'hagi', meaning 'enclosure' or 'dwelling'. It was also used to signify a person who lived by a river meadow or a low-lying area by a river, known as a 'haugh' in Scotland and Northern England.

In modern times, Haugh is relatively rare, but it still has the most presence in Great Britain, particularly in Scotland, in areas like Aberdeen and Midlothian. The name is also somewhat common in Northern Ireland. There has been a notable dispersion of the name due to emigration over centuries; hence, it can be found in countries where the British, Scottish and Irish settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, even in these countries, it remains an uncommon surname.

Variations of the surname Haugh

The surname Haugh primarily originates from Scotland and Northern England. This surname has varied considerably in its spelling, mostly due to phonetic versions being written down by scribes in ancient manuscripts. There are several variations and alternate spellings for Haugh, which can include Hough, Hauch, Haug, Hauk, Hawk, Hauchy, Haughey, Haghe, Haugan, etc.

Additionally, some Irish surnames such as Haggan or Hagan have often been anglicized to Haugh or variants of it especially when immigrants entered English-speaking countries. As surnames started to become inherited by subsequent generations (around the 10-12th century), they took on the forms of local place names where the families lived, held lands, or were born, which also led to the creation of several variations.

Furthermore, surnames like Hauge or Houge from Scandinavian countries may also have the same phonetic origins and have likely transformed into Haugh or similar versions in English-speaking regions.

Certain families may have modified their surname throughout generations, introducing additional variations of Haugh into the records. The surname Haugh and its variations continue to be common in many parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Haugh

• Amanda Haugh: Actress, known for her role on the Netflix series Daybreak.
• Beth Haugh: Theater actress who has been featured in a number of musicals and plays.
• Bob Haugh: Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Professor of Journalism at Indiana University.
• Charles Haugh: Founding member of the Chicago Architectural Club and practicing architect.
• Colin Haugh: Grammy Award-nominated record producer, mix engineer, and musician.
• Don Haugh: Former MLB player who played as a catcher for the Kansas City Royals.
• Edward Haugh: Irish footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs across Ireland.
• Ethel Haugh: Drama and film actress who first worked as a model.
• Howard Haugh: Academy Award-nominated film director, writer, and producer.
• John Haugh: Doctor and former president of the American Medical Association.
• Kenneth Haugh: Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award-winning film director.
• Kim Haugh: Motivational speaker and dating coach.
• Mandy Haugh: Former professional softball player and current coach at the University of Iowa.
• Mark Haugh: Professional soccer coach and former player.
• Nancy Haugh: Visual artist and founding member of Baltimore’s renowned Dolphin Gallery.
• Pat Haugh: Broadway and off-Broadway actor, mostly known for the musical Grease.
• Robert Haugh: Voice actor and improviser.
• Ryan Haugh: 2006 X Games silver medalist in skateboarding.
• Sam Haugh: Emmy Award-winning television director who has directed for many notable programs.
• Taylor Haugh: Former professional basketball player who has played overseas and in the NBA G-League.

Other surnames

HaugHaugeHauggHaughanHaugheyHaughianHaughneyHaughranHaughtHaughtonHaughtyHaugkHaugke