This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Houston.' Mr. Lower writes, 'The ancient knightly family so called originally bore the name of Paduinan from a place in Lanarkshire, In the 12th cent. Hugh de P. acquired the lands of Kilpeter, and built a residence there, to which he gave the name of Hugh's Town, now Houston, Renfrewshire His descendants of that ilk borrowed their surname from it' (Patronymica Britannica). Like many another Scotch name, it is well represented in the United States.

1808. Married — Thomas Houston and Elizabeth Ladd: St. George, Hanover Square.

Of territorial origin from the old barony of the name in Lanarkshire. The ancient family of Houston originally bore the name of Paduinan, from a place of that name in Lanarkshire. In the reign of Malcolm IV Baldwin de Bigre gave the lands of Kilpeter to Hugh de Paduinan, who appears as a witness to the foundation charter of the Abbey of Paisley between 1165—73 (RMP., p. 6). Hugh's son, Reginald, obtained from Robert, son of Waldey, son of Baldwin de Bigre, a confirmation of these lands. Hugh son of Reginald again, obtained a charter from Walter Fitz-Alan, the High Steward, now become superior of the lands, wherein it is narrated that his father and grandfather held the lands of the family of Bigre (charters cited in OPS., I, p: 83). "The barony had now taken its Saxon name from the settlement of the first of these old lords-Huston or villa Hugonis" (loc. cit.). Finlay of Huwitston, witness to a Renfrew charter of late thirteenth century (ibid., I, p. 77) is probably the Fynlawe de Hustone, knight, of Lanarkshire, who rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 203). His seal bears a fess chequy, with three (indecipherable charges) in chief. S' Finialy de Hovstvn (Macdonald, 1350). John of Hoston was canon of Carnbuskynel, 1341 (Pap. Lett., II, p. 555), Johannes de Howistone was witness in Paisley, 1406 (RMS., I, 874), and Patrick de Huyston, canon of Glasgow, 1415 (REG., 325). Aian Hawystoune held a tenement in Glasgow, 1435 (LCD., p. 250), Alexander Howstoun was repledged to liberty of burgh of Irvine, 1460 (Irvine, I, p. 27), Sir James Howstone was vicar of Estwood in 1525 (REG., 469), and Mungow Hawstoun, burgess of Glasgow, 1527 (Pollok, I, p. 256). The tenement of Thomas Hawstoune in Glasgow is mentioned in 1550, and John Hawstoune sold a bam there in same year (Protocols, I). (2) People of the name of Houston in the Canisbay district (there pronounced Hougstoun) are descended from Rev. Andrew Ogstoun (see Ogston), minister of Canisbay, Caithness (1601—1650), and the Houstons of Ross-shire are believed to be descended from Rev. Thomas Houston of Inverness, who died in 1605 (Sc. Ant., VI p. 94—96). Hawistoune and Hawistoun 1505, Hostan 1517, Hostine 1731, Houstone 1527, Houstown and Houstowne 1672, Howstone 1660, Howstoun and Howstoune 1550, Howystoun 1425, Huison 1675, Huistone 1670, Huston 1671.

(Scot.) belonging to Houston (Scotland) = Hugh’s Town [v. Hugh; and + Old English tún, manor, estate, &c.] ‘This parish, anciently called Kilpeter, i.e. the Cell of Peter, was granted to Hugh of Paduinan during the reign of Malcolm IV.’— Nat. Gaz., sub nomine ‘Houston,’ Renfrew. This place-name was Latinized in mediæval records de Villa Hugonis.

A well known English name very numerous in Ulster. It is sometimes a synonym of MacQuiston, and in Donegal of MacTaghlin. MIF 14

(Scottish) One who came from Houston (Hugh’s town), in Scotland.

The ancient knightly family so called originally bore the name of Paduinan from a place in co. Lanark. In the XII. cent. Hugh de P. acquired the lands of Kilpeter, and built a residence there, to which he gave the name of Hugh's Town, now Houston, co. Renfrew. His descendants of that Ilk borrowed their surname from it.

Local: from the parish of Houston in Renfrewshire. In the reign of Malcolm IV, 1153, Hugh Padvinan obtained the barony of Kilpeter from Baldwin of Biggar, Sheriff of Lanark, hence called Hughstoun, corrupted to Houstoun.

Local. From the parish of Houston, in Renfrewshire, Scotland. There is an old tradition, that in the reign of Malcolm IV., A. D. 1153, Hugh Padvinan obtained a grant of the barony of Kilpeter, from Baldwin of Biggar, sheriff of Lanark, and hence called Hughstown, corrupted into Houstoun. These Houstons were of great consideration in Renfrewshire.

From the Flemish, Houstonn; a personal name.