Houston - All the way from Scotland

Hard to believe, but one of the biggest cities in Texas can trace its start to a Scottish king who lived nearly a thousand years ago.

King Malcolm IV was traveling across the Scottish lowlands when he came under attack – a man named Hugh witnessed the fight and came to the king’s aid, scattering the outlaws. As a reward, the man was given ownership of a nearby tract of land – an immense gift in medieval times. Back then the language was a little different too, and in Old English, the word tun, meant settlement or camp. We know the word as town. The settlement was to become known by its owner Hugh, the original owner of Hugh’s tun.

Towns today aren’t like they were back then. They were so small that a man named John might be one of the only ones in the area. Later, as settlements grew, other words were added to describe people. John the elder, John the baker, or John the son of John – John’s son. It was the beginning of last names, words that described a man based on his job, his father’s name, a nickname, or the place where he lived. Houston is an example of a place name – a medieval settlement in Scotland.

In that time when last names were just beginning, the family from there became known as Houston, and of the many sons and grandsons who lived in Hugh’s tun, a good number later moved into Ireland and across the Atlantic to America. One of them was Sam Houston, the Texas patriot for whom Houston, Texas was named.

Spelling wasn’t the art that it is today – and many members of the family wound up with different versions, but no matter how its spelled, those with the name Huston can trace their name to a man who originated in Hugh’s settlement – Hugh’s tun.

So the original town gave the family its name, and later, a member of the family gave its name to the town – and not just in the Lone Star State. There are Hustonvilles in Kentucky and North Carolina, much smaller versions of the Texas city named for a descendant of the original bearer of the name.

Last names – we all have one, and mine’s McHuston. I may have your story next time on - One Famous Name.

Check out the bookstore at: http://mchustonbooks.com/
Authors: Visit Inlandia Press at http://inlandiapress.com/