Hughes surname: meaning and origin

Hughes means descendant or son of Aodh, meaning fire. It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Ulster and Connacht.

Irish formÓ hAodha / Mac Aodha
Meaningdescendant or son of Aodh, meaning fire
Home regionUlster and Connacht (Ulster)
OriginGaelic
VariantsHughes, McHugh, Magee

History of the Hughes name

Aodh was one of the most common early Irish names, so the surname grew from many unrelated families. Hughes is often a translation of Mac Aodha.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Hughes mean?

Hughes (Irish: Ó hAodha or Mac Aodha) means descendant or son of Aodh, meaning fire.

What is the Irish spelling of Hughes?

The Irish-language form of Hughes is Ó hAodha or Mac Aodha.

Where is the surname Hughes from?

Hughes is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Ulster and Connacht in Ulster.

What are other spellings of Hughes?

Related spellings and forms include Hughes, McHugh, Magee.

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