Surname Houston

Local Studies Library
Central Library
High Street
Paisley PA1 2BB,
Renfrewshire
TEL. 0141 889 2360
FAX. 0141 887 6468
EMAIL locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk

18 May 2010


Dear Ryan


Thank you for your e-mail enquiry.

The ancient family name of Houston was Paduinan from a place of that name in Lanarkshire.

The village of Houston in Renfrewshire was originally called Kilpeter meaning “ the chapel of Peter”. In the 12^th Century the lands of Kilpeter were granted to Hugo (or Hugh) de Paduinan, a follower of Walter Fitzalan, High Steward of Scotland, who founded Paisley Abbey about this time. The settlement which grew up around Hugo’s castle became known as “Hugh’s toun” and later as “Houston”.

I hope this information taken from George H Black’s The surnames of Scotland clarifies the origin of the surname Houston.

Yours sincerely


Fiona



Fiona Richardson, Senior Library Supervisor

' 0141 889 2360 7 0141 887 6468

8 fiona.richardson@renfrewshire.gov.uk

* Renfrewshire Local Studies Library, Central Library, 68 High Street, Paisley PA1 2BB

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