Surname Hosier - Meaning and Origin

Hosier: What does the surname Hosier mean?

The surname Hosier is of English origin and it is an occupational surname which was given to someone who earned their living by making or selling hosiery, i.e., items of clothing like tights, stockings or socks. The name is derived from the Middle English term "hosier", meaning a maker or seller of hose (another term for hosiery). During the middle ages, clothing specific occupations were common, and individuals were often named after their trade. Therefore, the person bearing the last name Hosier would have likely had an ancestor who was a hosiery maker or seller. Like other occupational surnames, Hosier highlighted the profession of the individual and later became a part of their family identity.

Hosier: Where does the name Hosier come from?

The surname Hosier has English origins, derived from the occupational name for a maker of hosiery (stockings, socks). It traces its roots back to the Middle English term "hosier", which was used to denote someone who was involved in the production or selling of hosiery. The first recorded spelling of the family name, according to several historical manuscripts and rolls, is that of John le Hosiery which was dated 1296, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Sussex".

As it became more common for people to adopt surnames based on their occupation, those involved in the hosiery trade began to use the name Hosier, and it subsequently spread to different regions. Today, the surname Hosier is predominantly found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with a few bearers in South Africa and Western Europe. These English-speaking countries witnessed a large influx of English people during various historical periods who took their surnames with them. However, it is not among the most common surnames in these countries, it is rather fairly distributed.

Variations of the surname Hosier

The surname Hosier is said to have Middle Low German origins implying someone who makes or sells hosiery. Other common spellings and variants of the surname Hosier might include Hosyer, Hoser, Hosiere, Hosear, and Hoseer.

There could also be certain surnames that are not necessarily a direct variant of 'Hosier' but could find their origins in the same sort of occupation or meaning. Such names might include Stocking, Socksman, and other names related to the hosiery or the textile industry.

It's worth remembering that not all surnames that sound similar will have the same origin. They may have evolved separately in different locations and have different meanings, despite their phonetic similarity.

When it comes to genealogical research, the surname could have been written differently due to mistakes in translation or simply because of different phonetic interpretations by the record-keeper. It's not uncommon for older documents to have several different spellings of the same surname.

Therefore, while researching the origins of the surname 'Hosier' and its variants, it's handy to consider these possible variations to gather detailed and comprehensive results.

Famous people with the name Hosier

• Halsey: American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Asa Hosier: Civil War soldier and farmer, known as one of the earliest settlers of Winona County, Minnesota.
• Howard Hosier: American politician and Civil War veteran.
• Thomas Hosier: British long-distance runner.
• Charles Hosier: British Royal Navy sailor and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
• Ava Hosier: Canadian paralympic swimmer.
• Joseph O. Hosier: American reverend and civil rights activist.
• Robert Hosier: eighteenth-century English author and solicitor.
• Silas Hosier: Eighteenth-century American landlord and businessperson.
• Elida Hosier: Eighteenth-century American businessperson and landowner.

Other surnames

Hosie