This interesting surname recorded in many spelling forms including Hew, Hews, Hewes, Hue, Hugh, and Hughes, is of French origins. It derives from the pre 7th century Old French personal name "Hue", introduced into Britain by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. This name is in origin a short form of any of the various Germanic compound names with the first element "hug", meaning heart or mind, and as found in surnames such as Howard, Hubble, and Hubert. The original popularity of the given name was due to the fame of St. Hugh of Lincoln (1140 - 1200), who was born in Burgundy and who established the first Carthusian Monastery in England. In Ireland and Scotland the name became "Aodh" and "Eoghann", and in Wales "Pugh", a form of ap Hugh". Early examples of the surname recording include Richard Hue of Worcester in 1279, Thomas Hughes of Somerset in 1327, and Elizabeth Hewes of Suffolk in 1524. Ann Hughes was christened on October 9th 1586, at St. James church, Clerkenwell, whilst on August 1st 1592, Merideth Hughes was a witness at St. Michael's, Cornhill, both city of London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Ralph Howe of Warwickshire, in 1221. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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