Surname Houry - Meaning and Origin
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Houry: What does the surname Houry mean?
The last name Houry is of French origin, believed to be derived from the word 'hure', meaning 'head of a wild boar'. This would suggest that those with this surname have some familial connection to the hunting of wild boar, most likely as a form of sustenance or, in the centuries past, as a source of income or status. It is also possible that the name itself predates the French language, with possible versions in earlier forms of French originating from Lombard or Latin and this is supported by the cognate name of 'Uri' found in Swiss sources.
The name Houry is strongly associated with the region of France, particularly the south-west — Aveyron, Aurillac, Lot and Rouergue. It is believed that the family stemmed from one of these regions, and records of the name can be found as far as the 15th century in this area.
The Houry name may also have arisen due to a person's occupation as a 'heureux' or timekeeper — although this is not confirmed. It is also suggested that the name may have originally meant 'ancestor of Houry', with the surname being used to differentiate between generations of the family.
Overall, the last name Houry has a very proud and distinct French heritage, with many different potential interpretations — all of which appear to be linked to the natural environment of the south-west of France. It is also possible that the name has its roots in Latin, suggesting an even older and more extensive lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisHoury: Where does the name Houry come from?
The last name Houry is most commonly seen today in Lebanon and Syria. It is a biblical last name, derived from the name of the ancient one-eyed giant, Orous. In Lebanon and Syria, Houry appears as a family name among several religious denominations, including Maronite Christian, Greek Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish families.
In addition to Lebanon and Syria, Houry is found in countries throughout the Middle East, such as Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, and Israel. It is also common in South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela, as well as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.
Given its widespread occurrence, researchers think that Houry may denote different family lines originating in different regions. For example, the Houry's of Lebanon might be of different origin than those of Syria, Iraq, or Egypt.
The distribution of the Houry name suggests one of two origins: Either a common ancestor who passed along the name, or multiple unrelated ancestors who adopted the name independently. Some researchers believe that the name Houry could be a corruption of "Hebrew," used as a label for Jewish family lines in the Middle East. Another hypothesis suggests that the Houry family likely descends from a biblical ancestor or clan.
Given the familial distribution, it is difficult to pinpoint a single source for the Houry name. However, it is clear that Houry appears in multiple countries and regions, and is quite common even today. It is likely that its roots lie back to biblical times.
Variations of the surname Houry
The surname Houry is a common spelling variation of the more recognizable surname Hourigan. The Houry surname is primarily used by those of Irish and Scottish descent, and is derived from the Old English words "hyran," meaning "lean, slender," and "hagan," meaning "son of." The Houry surname can also be seen spelled as Hourigane, Hurrigan, Hurrigane, Hurrygan and Hurriganes, and it is possible that these alternate spellings were used as a way to distinguish between different branches of the same family.
Although the Houry surname is thought to have originated in Ireland, there is evidence that it was also present in England prior to the conquests of William the Conqueror in 1066. It is thought that this surname may be derived from a region known as ‘Hourugh’, which was located near the River Stour in Suffolk.
The Houry surname is often considered to be a variation of the more widely used surnames Harrigan and Hurley. It is possible that Houry is a derivative of the Gaelic surname "O'hUraighin" or "O'hUriu" which both are derived from the word "uireasaigh," meaning "noble, courageous, valiant". This suggests a link between the Houry surname and Irish nobility, and indeed, the surname is often associated with the ancient Celtic princedoms of Thomond, Desmond and Ormond.
Overall, Houry is a variation of the surnames Harrigan, Hurley, and Hourigan, and is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "hyran" and "hagan." It is likely that the Houry surname originated in Ireland, but also has connections to the ancient Celtic princedoms and to Suffolk, England. Other variations of this surname include Hourigane, Hurrigan, Hurrigane, Hurrygan and Hurriganes.
Famous people with the name Houry
- Chelsea Houry-Bahari: An Armenian-American businesswoman and consultant who founded and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Houry Consulting, a marketing and growth consultancy. 2.Quentin Houry: A French violinist and professor of music at the École Normale de Musique de Paris who specializes in Baroque music.
- Imad Houry: An American diplomat who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs with a special focus on Syria and Lebanon between 2014 and 2017 in the Obama administration.
- Elie Houry: A Lebanese politician who was Member of Parliament for the Akkar district and resigned from his post after serving from 2005 to 2009.
- Christine Houry: A French soprano and actress who has performed in various operas and on stage in several cities in France including Paris.
- Mark Houry: A French international footballer who played goalkeeper in the Ligue 1 and is currently the goalkeeping coach at English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion.
- Pierre Houry: A 19th-century French engineer who made important contributions to railway engineering, and his work in developing the Laviolette bridge helped revolutionize railway construction throughout Europe.