Houstoun

Houstoun is a surname of Scottish origin. It is a locational name derived from the barony of Houston in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name itself is believed to derive from the Old English personal name "Hūg" (meaning "mind" or "spirit") combined with "tūn," meaning "settlement" or "enclosure." Therefore, Houstoun essentially means "Hūg's settlement."

Variations of the surname include Houston and Huston.

The Houstoun family held significant lands and influence in Renfrewshire and beyond, with various branches establishing themselves in different parts of Scotland and, later, in other countries through emigration.

People with the surname Houstoun (or its variants) have contributed to various fields, including politics, business, and the arts.

The surname's association with Houston, Texas, is indirect. Houston, Texas, was named after Sam Houston, whose ancestry, while possibly sharing distant roots with the Scottish Houstouns, is not directly traceable to the main Renfrewshire family. The connection is more likely through common ancestral Anglo-Saxon naming patterns.