Hughes

Hughes is a surname of Welsh origin, derived from the given name Hugh via the Welsh patronymic ap Huw, meaning “son of Huw” or “son of Hugh.” The form Hughes spread to English-speaking countries and is common in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is used today by many families around the world.

Notable people with the surname include Howard Hughes (1905–1976), American aviation pioneer, filmmaker and business magnate; Charles Evans Hughes (1862–1948), American statesman and jurist who served as U.S. Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the United States; Ted Hughes (1930–1998), English poet and Poet Laureate; and John Hughes (1950–2009), American film director, producer and screenwriter. The surname is borne by many others in various fields and disciplines.

There are places named Hughes in several countries, especially the United States, including towns and geographic features. In the United States, there are Hughes County and various communities bearing the name, reflecting the common practice of using surnames for locations.

In business and organizations, Hughes refers to the Hughes Aircraft Company, an American aerospace and defense contractor founded by Howard Hughes; the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), a major biomedical research philanthropy; and Hughes Network Systems, a provider of satellite communications known for the HughesNet consumer internet service. Because Hughes can refer to many people, places and organizations, context is required to determine the intended reference.