Surname Houdyshell - Meaning and Origin

Houdyshell: What does the surname Houdyshell mean?

The last name Houdyshell is of English origin and has a few different variations, including Hudgell, Hudgsell and Houdesley. It is thought to be a patronymic surname, created by adding the suffix "-shel" to a personal name, most likely one derived from the Old Norse or Old English given name "Huda". For example, the Old English "huda", meaning “hood”, could have become “Hudashel” and was eventually condensed to what is now Houdyshell.

The surname is associated with several different locations in England, including Lancashire, Norfolk, and Northamptonshire. Records show that a certain William Houdyshull was tasked with keeping the peace in Yorkshire during the reign of King Edward III and is likely to be the first recorded instance of the Houdyshell name.

In general, it is believed that the Houdyshell surname was used to describe someone who was thought to be wise and discreet and was likely to refer to someone who was something of a wise counsel and of some importance. It could also refer to someone who was associated with a certain area, for example perhaps the lord or keeper of a certain area of countryside. It is also possible that the name was associated with a place name, such as Houdyshell in Hampshire.

Overall, the Houdyshell surname is steeped in history and has strong connections to certain areas of England. It was likely used to describe a wise counselor or an important keeper.

Houdyshell: Where does the name Houdyshell come from?

The last name Houdyshell is most common today in the United States, where it is prevalent in many states across the Midwest and South. One of the most heavily populated states for the last name belongs to Iowa, where nearly 945 different households reported the ancestral name in 2012. In addition to being the leader in terms of number of households, Iowa is also the state with the highest density of Houdyshells; over 76 out of every 100,000 people there carry the name.

The last name is especially common in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio, leading many to believe the name could have first found roots in this region of the US. While there are many variations of the spelling of the name, localities such as the Catawba Valley in North Carolina and even a place simply called Houdyshell in Warrick County, Indiana certainly are the strongest ties modern Houdyshell families have to the ancestral homeland.

Other places across the States in which the family name is prominent include parts of New York, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona and California. However, the last name is also quite heavily represented in Canada, Australia, and even some parts of the European Union, making it a truly international family with ancient heritage and modern global connections.

Variations of the surname Houdyshell

Houdyshell is an Anglo-Saxon surname of French Huguenot origin. It is an old French name that was derived from the Latin "Hudiscellus". The variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Houdyshell include Houdysell, Houdushel, Hudyshell, Hudyshull, Hudishall, Houdyscelle, Houdisholl, Hudishal, Hudyshalle, Hudisholle, Houdaysel, Houdeshal, Hudycell, Hudeshell, Hudashell, Hudiscelle and Hudescelle.

The spelling variations of the name Houdyshell are a result of numerous translations of the name from its origin in Old French. As such, the name is also seen in variations of its spelling among documents from various times and locations, such as in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and America. The first recorded mention of the name was in England in the year 1235, when Hubertus de Houdiscell was recorded as an ambassador to King Henry III, signalling the beginning of the lineage of the Houdyshell name.

The name is also seen in variations of its original form in a number of countries throughout the world, from the United States to Canada, Mexico, Colombia, South Africa and Namibia, as well as countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Continuing with the same origin, other versions of the surname are derived from other languages, such as Dutch, German, and Spanish. The Dutch spelling is Houdijsel, deriving from the word ‘Houdsiel’ which means ‘to jump or leap’ in Dutch. In German, the spelling is Hüdyschul, creating the surnames Hüdyschul and Hüdyscherg, deriving from the German word ‘Hüte’ meaning ‘hut’ or ‘shack’. In Spanish, the spelling is Urdischel, creating the surname Urdischel, deriving from ‘urdischel’ which can mean ‘place of refuge’.

Ultimately, there can be many different variants of the same surname. Houdyshell and its associated variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin trace back to the Latin root, making a genetic link between all those who carry the name, no matter what form it is in.

Famous people with the name Houdyshell

• Jayne Houdyshell: Tony Award-winning Broadway actress
• Bill Houdyshell: Founder and primary officer of Holden Insurance and Financial Services
• Theodore Houdyshell: Hollow Metal Door and Templet Installer at Eastern States Metal Products
• Linda Houdyshell: Chief Executive Officer of the Houdyshell Group LLC
• Bruce Houdyshell: Managing Director of Houdyshell Enterprises
• Scott Houdyshell: Scientist at Penn State Arboretum
• Paul Houdyshell: President of Horticultural Research International Inc.
• Stephen Houdyshell: Former Head of Marketing for Holiday Inn
• Barbara Houdyshell: Former Vice President of Special Projects for the San Francisco 49ers
• Greg Houdyshell: Former Chairman and President of Pacific Development Corporation

Other surnames

HoudysheldHoudyshelt