Meaning & History
Houk is a surname of Dutch origin, possibly an Americanized form of Hoek, stemming from the Dutch word hoek ("corner"). The name may have referred to someone who lived near a corner or a sharp bend in a road or river. It is common among descendants of Dutch immigrants in the United States.
Notable Bearers
Various prominent individuals bear the surname Houk, including American politicians George W. Houk (1825–1894), who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and John C. Houk (1860–1923), also a politician from Tennessee. Leonidas C. Houk (1836–1891) served as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee. In the field of chemistry, Kendall Newcomb Houk (born 1943) is known for his contributions to organic chemistry. Ralph Houk (1919–2010) was a well-known baseball player and manager. Other notables include Keith Houk, an airline executive, and Theodore W. Houk, a physician.
Other Uses
In geography, Houk (formerly named Pulusuk) is an island in the Chuuk group of Micronesia. Additionally, the Houk Manufacturing Company operated a historic factory complex in Buffalo, New York.
- Meaning: Corner (if from Hoek)
- Origin: Dutch
- Type: Surname
- Usage Regions: Netherlands, United States
Sources: Wikipedia — Houk