The House Family History

What Does the House Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname House is of both German and English origin, derived from the Old English word ‘hus’ and its Middle English counterpart ‘hous’, both of which denote a primary residence or dwelling. Similarly, the Old German term ‘khusan’ also refers to a place of habitation. Variants of the surname House include Hause, Haus, Hoose, Howse, Dehouse, Houssier, Houzelle, Houssiaux, and Housaman. The predominant German spelling of the name is Haus. In England, the majority of families bearing the surname House are found in the southern regions, particularly within the counties of Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Berkshire, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, and Gloucestershire, as well as in the city of London and further north in Yorkshire. In Scotland, House families are primarily located in the counties of Perthshire, Angus, Midlothian, Lanarkshire, and Fife. In the United States, the House surname has its earliest occurrences in states such as New York, Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama. Notable individuals with this surname include Jack House, an English author; Yoanna House, a fashion model; Royal Earl House, a 19th-century inventor known for the printed telegraph message and founder of the Great Western Telegraph Company; Henry Alonzo House, an inventor of both the buttonhole machine and a knitting machine; Tom House, a professional baseball player; and Eddie House, a professional basketball player.