Surname Hoult - Meaning and Origin
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Hoult: What does the surname Hoult mean?
The surname Hoult is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It comes from the Old English word "holt," which translates to "forest" or "a piece of woodland." So, the name Hoult could mean 'dweller by the wood'. It is believed to be a locational or topographic surname given to people who lived near a forest or a grove. Though the name is widely distributed across England, it has been specifically associated with Lancashire and Yorkshire in the North. Interestingly, geographical surnames like Hoult were often given to people who moved from one place to another in order to help with identification. That means an ancestral Hoult might have originally hailed from a wooded area, but moved elsewhere later on. The spelling variations of the name include Holt, Holte, Oult, Houlte, and others. Some notable people with the surname Hoult include British actors Nicholas and Rosanna Hoult.
Order DNA origin analysisHoult: Where does the name Hoult come from?
The last name Hoult is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have derived from someone who lived in or near a holt, an Old English term for a small copse or wood. This constitutes a topographic surname given to individuals based on their residence or noteworthy physical features in their surroundings.
The surname Hoult became more popular and widespread subsequent to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Some bearers of the name may also have Norman roots, as several from the Hoult family migrated to England during and after this conquest.
Today, this surname is primarily found in England, especially in the regions of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It also has a significant presence in Australia, the United States, and Canada due to historical emigration from England. One famous individual with this surname is British actor Nicholas Hoult, known for his roles in films such as "About a Boy" and "X-Men."
Variations of the surname Hoult
The surname Hoult is primarily associated with English heritage. It is believed to have derived from Anglo-Saxon culture and introduced during the era of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. The name Hoult is considered a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. The surname Hoult translates to 'a forest' or more specifically, 'Holt' meaning a wood or grove.
Various spellings of the name have emerged over centuries due to factors like translation errors, phonetic spelling, and cultural adaptations. Some of these variants of Hoult may include Holt, Hold, Hould, Houlde, and Ould. Other less common spellings can be Holte, Hullt, and Houldt. Hout might also be a spelling variant in some non-English speaking regions.
Surnames of the same origin, i.e., surnames derived from topographic features or geographical locations can include Forest, Woods, Lake, Hill, Fields, and many others. However, these may not have a direct genealogical connection to the name Hoult specifically.
Famous people with the name Hoult
- Nicholas Hoult: Actor
- John Hoult: Actor
- Will Hoult: Actor
- Tom Hoult: Saxophonist
- Raja Hoult: English actress
- Maurice Hoult: Actor
- Sam Hoult: Actor and musician
- Matthew Hoult: Actor
- Michael Hoult: Actor
- Joanne Hoult: Actress