Surname Hewston - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hewston: What does the surname Hewston mean?
The last name Hewston is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from the 12th century England. The root of Hewston is from the Old English term "hwaet", meaning 'what'. Combined with "tun" meaning 'settlement', the name literally means, "a dwelling or settlement that indicated surprise or awe".
The first recorded bearer of the name was William Hwyston, who lived in Northumberland, England in 1279. The name was most frequently found in Scotland in the Middle Ages and is still a common surname today.
The Hewston family values community and compassion, and its coat of arms manifest a deep respect for nature. It features three blues wavy bars, signifying the family’s perseverance in hard times and adaptability in a changing world. Two of the bars may represent a ford in the river, showing the family's courage to cross rough waters.
The Hewstons have a long and proud history in Scotland and England, and modern bearers of the name can honor their heritage by upholding the values of community and compassion and displaying the strength and courage that has been the hallmark of all Hewstons throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisHewston: Where does the name Hewston come from?
The last name Hewston is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is a relatively rare name, making up less than 1 in every 100,000 people in the UK. It is often found in the southern part of England, along with the midlands, and is more common in certain counties such as Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Isle of Wight. It is also found in Wales, though to a much lesser extent. Outside of the UK, the name is found in other countries such as Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
The name Hewston is derived from the Old English words dry and stone, meaning 'one who lives near a dry stone wall'. This reflects the early geography of the UK, of which dry stone walls were a common feature due to the extensive agricultural activities of the population. The meaning of the name has been linked to concepts of strength and resilience.
In general, the name is not very common today and is found mainly among people with British ancestry. However, due to its association with strength and resilience, it has gained traction among younger generations seeking to adopt a modern version of their ancestral heritage. It is an excellent option for families looking to find a family surname with British origins.
Variations of the surname Hewston
The surname Hewston has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Hewston is a patronymic/habitational name derived from the personal name Hugh, and was likely first used to denote a person who had some association with Stuthens, a place in the county of Cambridge, England.
The variants of Hewston include Hewiston, Heston, Huston, Houston, Hewstun, Heweson, Hueson, Hueston, and hundreds more.
Hewston can be spelled with either one 't' (Hewston) or two (Hewstun). The spelling variant, Hueson, is the combination of both spellings with an ‘e’ added. The two-t variant Hewstun is sometimes used as a double-barrelled surname, with a second surname such as Erskin, Barker, or Watson.
Hewston can also be spelled with a 'w' instead of a 'H' - Wewston, Wuston, Wiston, or Wueston.
Other spellings of the surname Hewston include Houstoun, Houson, Houssom, Housten, Hoxon, Howston, and Hudson. Other surnames that derive from the same personal name Hugh, and therefore have the same origin as Hewston, include Hodgson, Huffman, Hait, Hedges, Howes, Howell, and Huff.
Famous people with the name Hewston
- Hilary Hewston: British artist and sculptor.
- Heather Hewston: Canadian actress best known for starring in the series Relative Happiness.
- David Hewston: Canadian actor, voice actor, and comedian.
- Nico Hewston: German contemporary artist known for his work in various mediums, including painting, sculpture and installation.
- Dame Louisa Hewston: English philanthropist.
- Greg Hewston: American artist and sculptor.
- Nicholas Hewston: English politician and Member of Parliament.
- Charlie Hewston: British actor, musician and wildlife enthusiast.
- Sir Bonzo Hewston: British politician who served as Lord Mayor of London.
- Kenneth Hewston: Canadian actor and film maker.