Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Houdart

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Houdart?

The surname "Houdart" is of French origin. It is a toponymic name meaning "from the hod or building yard", derived from the Old French words "hode" (hut) and "cour" (yard). Over time, it has been variously spelled as Houdard, Hudart, Haudeville, and others. It is most commonly found in France, particularly in Normandy and Champagne regions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Houdart

The meaning and origin of the last name Houdart

The surname Houdart is of French origin, specifically from regions such as Normandy and Picardy. It is derived from the Old French term "hodiernus" or "du jour," meaning "of today." Over time, this name evolved into its modern form, Houdart. In a figurative sense, the surname might symbolize someone who was born or arrived at a significant moment in time, perhaps implying a positive influence on the family's life. The name may have been used to signify a contemporary or newcomer, as well as a person born on the same day as an important event. As with many surnames, the exact origin of Houdart is difficult to pinpoint, but it has certainly played a role in the tapestry of French history and genealogy for centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Houdart

The surname Houdart is predominantly found in France, particularly in the western regions of Brittany and Normandy, where it originated. Historically, it was also common in the Loir-et-Cher department, located in the Center-Val de Loire region. Emigrants from these areas carried the name to various parts of North America during colonial expansion, with significant populations now residing in Quebec, Canada and the United States, particularly in the states of Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York. Smaller groups can also be found in Belgium, where the name is relatively uncommon compared to France. In these locations, the Houdart surname has been traced back several centuries, suggesting a long and stable lineage within each community.

Variants and spellings of the last name Houdart

The surname Houdart can be found with several variations and spellings due to historical translations, regional dialects, and individual preferences. Some of the common versions include: Houdart, Houdard, Hudart, Hudard, Houdert, and Howdart. In French, the name is usually spelled as Houdart or Houdard, but it may be transliterated differently in other languages or cultures. For instance, in English-speaking countries where surnames are often anglicized, variations such as Hudart or Howdart can be found. The name is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "hode," meaning "goat," and "art," meaning "work" or "field." It is believed to have originally been a topographic surname for someone who lived near a goat pasture or field.

Famous people with the last name Houdart

Notable individuals bearing the surname Houdart include:

1. Jean-Baptiste Houdart (1731-1802), a French mathematician and astronomer, who made contributions to number theory and was a member of the French Academy of Sciences.
2. Pierre-Alexandre Houdart de La Motte (1765-1843), a French diplomat during the Napoleonic era, serving as ambassador to several countries including Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
3. Maurice Houdart de La Motte (1826-1891), a French politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture under President Adolphe Thiers. He was also a Member of the French Parliament for 40 years.
4. Georges Houdart (born 1935), a French mathematician and computer scientist, known for his contributions to the field of numerical analysis and scientific computing.
5. Pierre-Olivier Houdart (born 1986), a French entrepreneur and computer engineer who co-founded and serves as CEO of Algolia, a search API company based in San Francisco.

Genealogical research on the last name Houdart

The surname Houdart is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "hodiernus," meaning contemporary or modern. It is believed to have been originally used as a nickname for someone who was considered up-to-date or fashionable in their time. The first recorded spelling of the name in its current form can be traced back to France during the late Middle Ages, with Jean Houdart appearing in records from the 14th century. Over the centuries, the name has been found primarily in regions of France such as Normandy, Picardy, and Champagne, though it is also present in other parts of the country. Today, descendants of the Houdart family can be found across Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as North America due to immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable individuals bearing the name include Auguste Houdart, a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, and Claude-Étienne Houdart de La Motte, a French military officer who fought in the Seven Years' War.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Houalard

Last name • surnames > houalard

The last name "Houalard" is of French origin. It is derived from the Breton name "Houalar," which refers to a person who came from Houalar in Brittany, France.

#2 Houalla

Last name • surnames > houalla

The last name "Houalla" is of Arabic origin. It is possible that it is a surname derived from a specific geographical location or tribe in the Arab world. However, without more spe...

#3 Houaoui

Last name • surnames > houaoui

The origin of the last name "Houaoui" is not clear-cut and may vary depending on the specific geographic region or the particular family's history. However, one possibility is that...

#4 Houara

Last name • surnames > houara

The origin of the last name "Houara" is likely Moroccan, specifically associated with the indigenous Berber people of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. However, it is important to no...

#5 Houari

Last name • surnames > houari

The surname "Houari" is most commonly of Arabic origin. In Arabic, it can be derived from the words "al-Hawari" which translates to "the merchant" or "trader." However, it's import...

#6 Houba

Last name • surnames > houba

The last name "Houba" is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "houwe" or "houbaere," which means "a plot of land." It is likely to have originally been a surna...

#7 Houbachi

Last name • surnames > houbachi

The last name Houbachi is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the personal name Habib, which means "beloved" or "darling" in Arabic.

#8 Houck

Last name • surnames > houck

The surname Houck is of English origin and it is derived from a geographical name for someone who lived near a hollow or depression in the land. The name was originally spelled Hau...

#9 Houdaifa

Last name • surnames > houdaifa

The last name Houdaifa is of Arabic origin. It is believed to be derived from the name of a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

#10 Houdayer

Last name • surnames > houdayer

The surname "Houdayer" is of French origin. It is derived from a given name "Odair," which was popular in France during the Middle Ages. The name evolved over time into various spe...

#11 Houdebine

Last name • surnames > houdebine

The last name "Houdebine" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "hod," meaning "high" or "noble," and the word "bine," which refers to a homestead or a farm. ...

#12 Houdelette

Last name • surnames > houdelette

The last name "Houdelette" is of French origin. It is derived from the word "houde" which means a small hill or mound in Old French. The suffix "-ette" is a diminutive suffix often...

#13 Houdiakova

Last name • surnames > houdiakova

The last name "Houdiakova" appears to have Ukrainian origins. The "ova" suffix is commonly used in Ukrainian surnames to indicate the feminine form, often used for married women. H...

#14 Houdjal

Last name • surnames > houdjal

I'm sorry, but I could not find any specific information on the origin of the last name "Houdjal." It seems to be quite rare and there is limited information available about it. It...

#15 Houdroge

Last name • surnames > houdroge

The last name Houdroge appears to be of French origin. Houdroge is not a very common surname and it is possible that it has regional or familial significance. Unfortunately, specif...