Surname Hout - Meaning and Origin
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Hout: What does the surname Hout mean?
The last name Hout is a Dutch surname originating from the Middle Dutch word "hout," meaning wood. Although it is most commonly found in the Netherlands, many Dutch families had to emigrate in the 16th century to escape religious persecution, and the surname has since spread to other countries.
The surname Hout indicates a connection with the woodworking trade, and was often either adopted by families already involved in this profession, or taken on by newly trained woodworkers as a way to show their affiliation. Woodworking was an important industry for centuries, and could be both a practical and a creative pursuit, accounting for the variety of surnames derived from “hout.”
In the Netherlands, the surname is now used by approximately 4,000 people, although it is much less common outside of the country. Those with the last name Hout and a Dutch family history may be able to trace their roots back to certain areas of the country, often the areas where Dutch immigration first began.
Having such a unique, wood-related surname could be interesting for those curious about their Dutch ancestry. As well as showing a strong connection to the past, it can be fun to find creative ways to make use of the wood theme. Perhaps even a hobby of woodworking could be taken up as a way to honor Dutch heritage!
Order DNA origin analysisHout: Where does the name Hout come from?
The last name Hout is most commonly found today in The Netherlands, Belgium, and other Dutch-speaking regions. The last name is a Dutch toponymic name meaning "from the wood" or "from the woods". It is derived from the Dutch word 'hout', meaning 'wood'.
In The Netherlands, the Hout surname is ranked among the top 1,000 most common surnames. It is most commonly found in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Utrecht, as well as in the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague. In Belgium, the Hout surname is ranked among the top 850 most common surnames and is most commonly found in the city of Brussels.
Hout is also a common name in the Dutch colonies of Suriname and Curaçao, and the Afrikaans-speaking regions of South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa, the Hout surname is most commonly found in the city of Cape Town.
The Hout surname is also found in the United States and Canada, primarily among people of Dutch descent, as well as in some parts of the British Isles, primarily among people of Afrikaans descent.
Variations of the surname Hout
The surname Hout is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "hout," which literally translates to "wood" or "forest," as well as the occupational word "houte-maker," which can be translated as "woodworker."
Variants of the surname Hout include Houte, Houten, Houts, and Houters. Houte is the archaic Dutch spelling of the term while Houten is often seen as an extended form, reflecting the Dutch trend of adding an "en" suffix to nouns. Houts is an anglicized version, and Houters is an occupational surname or an alternative spelling of Houte.
Other related surnames include Houterman, Houtkooper, Houttuin, and Houtveen. Houterman is derived from the archaic term "houterman," which relates to the profession of doorway manufacturing and is closely associated with Hout. Houtkooper is derived from the term "houtkooper," which translates to "timber merchant" and is possibly related to Hout. Houttuin and Houtveen originate from geographical origins – Houttuin indicates a "forest garden," while Houtveen refers to an area in which trees grow abundantly.
Haut, Hault, Hollows, Holts, and Holtz are all derivatives of the surname Hout, but can also be associated with other origins as well.
Overall, the surname Hout has many variants and spellings, and is associated strongly with the Dutch language.
Famous people with the name Hout
- Rutger Hout: Dutch actor and television presenter.
- Zico Hout: Dutch football manager.
- Roger Hout: Italian football player.
- Nouri al-Hout: Lebanese journalist and poet.
- Jan Hout: 16th-century Dutch humanist author.
- Simon Hout: Dutch physicist and astronomer.
- Herman Hout: Dutch politician and former Prime Minister.
- Ben Hout: Belgian footballer.
- Yves Hout: French film producer and director.
- Robbert Hout: Dutch football goalkeeper.
- René Hout: Belgian singer and entertainer.
- Bas Hout: Dutch footballer.
- Guusje Hout: Dutch model and television presenter.
- Thijs Hout: Dutch football player.
- Cele Hout: Dutch comedian and musician.
- Marcel Hout: Dutch actor and theatre director.
- Corrie Hout: Dutch midfielder.
- Tirza Hout: Dutch television producer and director.
- Wim Hout: Dutch scientist and photographer.
- Noud Hout: Dutch cyclist and winner of Paris-Roubaix classic.