Hughes ( surname ) - wikipedia Hughes ( surname ) This article is about the surname Hughes. For other uses, see Hughes ( disambiguation ). Hughes Origin Region of origin Wales, Ireland Language ( s ) Welsh, Irish Gaelic Meaning patronymic name for `` son of Hugh '' or `` fire '' Other names Variant ( s ) Ó hAodha, McHugh, MacHugh, O'Hugh, Ap Huw, Ap Hugh, Huson, Hughs, Hews, Hayes, Pugh Hughes / hjuːz / is an Anglified spelling of the Welsh and Irish patronymic surname of French origin. The surname may also be the etymologically unrelated Picard variant `` Hugh '' ( Old French `` Hue '' ) of the Germanic name `` Hugo ''. Wales In Wales and other areas of Brythonic Britain, the surname derives from the personal name `` Hu '' or `` Huw '', meaning `` fire '' or `` inspiration ''. At the time of the British Census of 1881, the relative frequency of the surname `` Hughes '' was highest on the Welsh island of Ynys Môn ( Anglesey ) ( 37.2 times the British average ), followed by Gwynedd, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Meirionydd, Montgomeryshire, Ceredigion, Radnorshire and Carmarthenshire, Ireland The surname evolved from the ancient Irish name of `` Ó hAodha '', `` grandson / descendant of Aodh ( meaning `` fire '' ). '' `` Aodh '' was frequently Anglicized as `` Hugh '', with `` Ó hAodha '' in turn being anglicized as `` Hughes '' or `` Hayes ''. `` Hughes '' is the 15th most common name in the northern Irish province of Ulster, being especially common in the Ulster counties Armagh, Tyrone, Monaghan, and Fermanagh. It was the 34th most common name in all of Ireland in Matheson 's 1890 census of Ireland and the 44th most common surname in Ireland in the 1992 -- 1997 period. In addition to the counties of Ulster, the surname Hughes is also commonly found in the counties Wexford, Donegal, Galway and Cork. There are variant spellings. People with the surname `` Hughes '' include : Contents J O Q U V X Y Z Hughes brothers Hughes Brothers Aaron Hughes, Northern Irish footballer Adam Hughes ( disambiguation ) Alan Hughes, Irish cricketer Alan Hughes, Irish TV personality Alexander Hughes ( disambiguation ) Andrew Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Andy Hughes, electronic music producer Anne Hughes, American restaurateur and art patron Ann Hughes ( politician ) ( born 1943 ), American politician Ann Harriet Hughes ( 1852 - 1910 ), Welsh writer Anthony Hughes ( born 1948 ), English judge Archie Hughes ( 1919 -- 1992 ), Welsh international footballer Arthur Hughes ( actor ) ( 1894 -- 1982 ), American actor and radio personality Arthur Hughes ( artist ) ( 1831 -- 1915 ), English painter Arwel Hughes ( 1909 -- 1988 ), Welsh composer and conductor, father of Owain Arwel Hughes Augusto Hughes ( 1931 -- 1993 ), Argentine Air Force commander and Junta member Barnard Hughes ( 1915 -- 2006 ), Irish - American actor Barry Hughes ( born 1937 ), Welsh former football player and manager Bettany Hughes ( born 1968 ), English historian Bill Hughes ( first baseman ) ( 1860 -- 1928 ), baseball player Bill Hughes ( musician ) ( 1930 -- 2018 ), American jazz musician Bill Hughes ( pitcher ) ( 1896 -- 1963 ), American baseball player in 1921 Bill Hughes ( police officer ) ( born 1950 ), Director General of Britain 's Serious Organised Crime Agency Billy Hughes ( 1862 -- 1952 ), seventh Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes ( actor ) ( 1948 -- 2005 ), American actor Billy Hughes ( educationist ) ( 1914 -- 1995 ), British Labour Party politician and educationist Billy Hughes ( footballer, born 1865 ), Welsh international Billy Hughes ( footballer, born 1918 ) ( died 1981 ), Birmingham, Chelsea and Wales international footballer Billy Hughes ( footballer, born 1920 ), Welsh footballer with Hartlepool United Billy Hughes ( footballer, born March 1929 ) ( died 2003 ), Scottish footballer with York City Billy Hughes ( footballer, born May 1929 ) ( died 2005 ), Northern Irish international footballer Billy Hughes ( footballer, born 1948 ), Scottish footballer with Sunderland Billy Hughes ( footballer, born 1960 ), English footballer with Gillingham Billy Hughes ( musician ) ( 1908 -- 1995 ) Western Swing musician and songwriter Brendan Hughes ( 1948 -- 2008 ), Irish republican Brian Hughes ( musician ) ( born 1955 ), jazz guitarist Bryan Hughes ( born 1969 ), member of the Texas House of Representatives Charles Evans Hughes ( 1862 -- 1948 ), American government official, former United States Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Charles Evans Hughes, Jr. ( 1889 -- 1950 ), American government official, United States Solicitor General 1929 -- 1930. Charles Evans Hughes III ( 1915 -- 1985 ), American architect. Chesney Hughes ( born 1991 ), Anguillian cricketer Chris Hughes ( born 1983 ), co-founder of Facebook Chrissy Hughes, American figure skater Christa Hughes, Australian singer Christopher Hughes ( quiz contestant ) ( born 1947 ), British quiz champion Chuck Hughes ( 1943 -- 1971 ), NFL player Clara Hughes ( born 1972 ), Canadian cyclist and speed skater, multiple Olympic medal winner Cledwyn Hughes ( 1916 -- 2001 ), Welsh Labour politician Curtis Hughes ( born 1964 ), American professional wres Dante Hughes, NFL cornerback Darren Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people David Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Dennis Hughes, ( 1931 -- 1990 ), English footballer Detrick Hughes ( born 1966 ), American poet Don B. Hughes ( born 1940 ), Maryland State Delegate Dorothy B. Hughes ( 1904 -- 1993 ), U.S. crime writer Eddie Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Edward Hughes, several people Edward Hughes Ball Hughes ( 1798 -- 1863 ), English dandy Edwin Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Edwin Holt Hughes ( 1866 -- 1950 ), Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church Eleanor Hughes ( 1882 -- 1952 ), artist Emily Hughes ( born 1989 ), American figure skater Emlyn Hughes ( 1947 -- 2004 ), Liverpool F.C. and England national football team captain Emmett Hughes ( born 1987 ), Irish film actor, writer, producer Emrys Hughes ( 1894 -- 1969 ), a Welsh and the Scottish Labour politician Ernie Hughes ( born 1955 ), American football player Fountain Hughes, former American slave Francis Hughes, Irish republican and hunger striker Fred G. Hughes ( 1837 -- 1911 ), five time member of Arizona Territorial Legislature Gareth Hughes Welsh silent screen actor Gareth Thomas Llewelyn Hughes New - Zealand politician and member of the Green Party Gary Hughes ( born 1967 ), vocalist, guitarist and songwriter George O. Hughes painter, performance artist, art educator Glenn Hughes ( born 1951 ), bassist and vocalist Graham Hughes ( born 1979 ), adventurer and filmmaker H. Stuart Hughes ( 1916 -- 1999 ), American historian, professor and activist Henry Hughes, nineteenth century British locomotive builder, see Brush Traction Henry P. Hughes ( 1904 -- 1968 ), American jurist Herbert Bristow Hughes ( 1821 -- 1892 ), pioneer pastoralist in South Australia Howard Hughes ( murderer ) ( born 1965 ), British paedophile and murderer Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. ( 1905 -- 1976 ), American pilot, movie producer and playboy Howard Robard Hughes, Sr. ( 1869 -- 1924 ), American businessman ; father of Howard Robard Hughes, Jr... Ian Hughes ( diplomat ) ( born 1951 ), British ambassador Ian Hughes ( epredator ) ( born 1967 ), English technology evangelist Ian Hughes ( rugby league ) ( born 1972 ), British professional rugby player Ian Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people J James Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people James B. Hughes ( 1805 -- 1873 ) was an American newsman, politician, and abolitionist Jason Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Jefferson D. Hughes, III, associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2013 Jesse Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people John Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people John Arthur Hughes, U.S. Marine Corps officer and Medal of Honor recipient John Joseph Hughes, Irish - born American prelate, first Archbishop of New York City, founder of St. Patrick 's Cathedral Joseph Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Joshua Hughes, Welsh Bishop Kelly Hughes ( born 1970 ), Canadian arts promoter Langston Hughes ( 1902 -- 1967 ), American poet Larry Hughes ( born 1979 ), American basketball player for the New York Knicks Lee Hughes ( born 22 May 1976 ) is an English Footballer who plays for Notts County as a striker. Lena Hughes, American musician Lena B. Smithers Hughes, American botanist Liam Hughes ( born 11 September 1988 ), English football striker Lloyd Hughes, American silent film actor Lloyd Herbert Hughes, U.S. Army Air Forces Lieutenant, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for action in World War II Madison Hughes ( born 1992 ), American rugby sevens player Mark Hughes ( born 1963 ), Welsh international footballer and football manager Mark Hughes ( basketball ) ( born 1966 ), American basketball player and coach Mark Hughes ( Emmerdale ), fictional character on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale Mark Hughes ( English footballer ) ( born 1986 ), English footballer Mark Hughes ( fighter ) ( born 1973 ), American mixed martial arts fighter Mark Hughes ( journalist ), English Formula One journalist Mark Hughes ( Northern Ireland footballer ) ( born 1983 ), Northern Irish footballer Mark Hughes ( politician ) ( 1932 -- 1993 ), MP for the city of Durham, 1970 -- 1983 Mark Hughes ( rugby league ) ( born 1976 ), Australian former professional rugby league player Mark R. Hughes ( 1956 -- 2000 ), American entrepreneur, a founder of Herbalife Mary Vivian Hughes ( 1866 -- 1956 ), British educator and author Mathew Hughes ( 1822 -- 1882 ), Victoria Cross recipient Matt Hughes ( disambiguation ) Meredydd Hughes, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Merv Hughes ( born 1961 ), Australian cricketer Michael Anthony Hughes ( 1988 -- 1994 ) abducted elementary school student Nerys Hughes ( born 1941 ), Welsh actress Neil Hughes, UK District Councillor featured in Michael Apted 's Up Series Nicholas Hughes ( 1962 - 2009 ), British fisheries biologist O Oliver Hughes, American Civil War recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor Owain Arwel Hughes ( born 1942 ), Welsh orchestral conductor, son of Arwel Hughes Pat Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Paul Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Pete Hughes, American college baseball coach Peter Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people G. Philip Hughes ( born 1953 ), American diplomat Phil Hughes ( born 1986 ), American baseball player Phil Hughes ( cricketer ) ( born 1991 ), English cricketer Phil Hughes ( footballer ) ( born 1964 ), Northern Irish football player Philip Hughes ( historian ) ( 1895 -- 1967 ), Roman Catholic priest and historian Philip Hughes ( footballer, born 1981 ), Irish football player Philip Edgcumbe Hughes ( 1915 -- 1990 ), Anglican clergyman and New Testament scholar Phillip Hughes ( 1988 -- 2014 ), Australian cricketer Q Quinn Hughes ( born 1999 ), American ice hockey player Rex Hughes, American basketball coach in the NBA Richard Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Rick Hughes ( born 1973 ), American basketball player Robert Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Ronan Hughes, Scottish footballer Roy Hughes ( bridge ) ( born 1954 ), Canadian bridge player Russell S. Hughes ( 1910 -- 1958 ), American TV and film screenwriter R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus of College Church Sam Hughes ( 1853 -- 1921 ) Canadian politician Samuel Hughes ( judge ) ( 1913 -- 2002 ), Canadian judge, grandson of Sam Hughes above Sarah Hughes ( born 1985 ), an American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Sarah T. Hughes ( 1896 -- 1985 ), a US district judge who administered oath of office to President Lyndon Johnson Séamus Hughes ( born 1952 ), an Irish Fianna Fáil politician Sean Hughes ( disambiguation ), multiple people Simon Hughes ( born 1951 ), an English politician Simon Hughes ( cricketer ) ( born 1959 ), an English cricketer and journalist Simon Pollard Hughes, Jr. ( 1830 -- 1906 ), a Governor of Arkansas Spike Hughes ( 1908 -- 1987 ), a British jazz musician Stephen Hughes ( footballer, born 1919 ), English footballer Stephen Hughes ( footballer, born 1982 ), a Scottish footballer Stephen Hughes ( footballer, born 1976 ), an English footballer Tanya Hughes ( born 1972 ), American high jumper Ted Hughes ( Edward James Hughes ) ( 1930 -- 1998 ), English poet Ted Hughes ( judge ), Canadian judge Terry Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Thomas Hughes ( disambiguation ), several people Tim Hughes, Christian worship leader and songwriter Todd Hughes, American writer and film producer Todd M. Hughes, American attorney and federal judicial nominee Tyler Hughes ( born 1993 ), soccer player U V Victoria Hughes ( 1897 - 1978 ), British lavatory attendant Vincent Hughes, American politician Warren Hughes, English racing driver William Hughes ( disambiguation ) X Y Yolanda Hughes, American female bodybuilder Z References Jump up ^ `` Hughes Surname Meaning and Distribution ''. forebears.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2014 Jump up ^ Murphy, Sean. `` Survey of Irish Surnames '' ( PDF ). homepage.eircom.net. Retrieved 2 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Irish Surname - Hughes ''. Irelandroots.com. Retrieved 1 August 2014. External links ' Ireland information Irish surnames ' Surname list This page lists people with the surname Hughes. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person 's given name ( s ) to the link. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_(surname)&oldid=838070061 '' Categories : Surnames Welsh - language surnames Irish families Surnames of French origin Surnames of Welsh origin Surnames of Irish origin Irish genealogy Patronymic surnames Hidden categories : Articles with short description All set index articles Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Slovenščina Edit links This page was last edited on 24 April 2018, at 18 : 50. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: where does the last name hughes come from
Answer: French