Hough

The surname Hough is of topographical origin, derived from the Old English word 'hoh' meaning 'spur of a hill' or 'haga' meaning 'enclosure, hedge'. It would have been given to someone who lived near such a geographical feature or an enclosed piece of land. Over time, these topographical surnames became hereditary and were passed down through families. The name has been recorded in various forms throughout history, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic spellings.

The earliest records of the name appear in medieval England. As a given name, Hough is exceedingly rare and is almost exclusively found as a surname. Its use as a first name is likely a modern phenomenon, perhaps adopted from the surname tradition or as a unique choice.