Origin of the Houston Surname
The Houston surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #592 with 56,900 Americans (19.29 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Houston traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Houston |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #592 |
| US Count (2010) | 56,900 |
| Per 100K People | 19.29 |
| First Letter | H |
Ethnic Distribution of Houston
Among 56,900 Americans named Houston, the largest self-reported group is White (52.07%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Houston Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Houston moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Houston family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Houston Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Houston Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Houston
- ✓ The Houston coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Houston families live today
- ✓ Notable Houston bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Houston fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Houston
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Houston.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston
Top Surnames Starting with H
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter H, ranked by population.
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