Show ContentsHosty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hosty

What does the name Hosty mean?

The surname Hosty comes for the original Irish Mac Oiste (Mac Coiste) and has many variants.

Early Origins of the Hosty family

The surname Hosty was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn). Family tradition holds that the surname originated with Roger (Hodge) Merrick, a Mayo Welshman killed in 1276, and that the name is derived from Hodge a pet-form of Roger.

Early History of the Hosty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hosty research. More information is included under the topic Early Hosty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hosty Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hosty, MacHosty, Custy, Hasty, MacCusty, MacCosty, MacHostie, MacHoste, MacCoiste, MacQuist and many more.

Early Notables of the Hosty family

More information is included under the topic Early Hosty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hosty migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hosty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Hosty, who immigrated to New York in 1847
  • Margaret Hosty, who arrived in New York in 1850
  • Niles Hosty, who sailed to New York in 1851
  • Francis Hosty, who landed in New York in 1864
  • Ann Hosty and her family, who immigrated to New York in 1882

Hosty migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hosty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Hosty, aged 32 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sobraon" departing 8th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 29th June 1847 but he died on board 1

Hosty migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hosty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Michael Hosty, English convict from Chester, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on April 16, 1855, settling in Western Australia 2

Hosty migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hosty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Bridget Hosty, (b. 1856), aged 18, Irish servant from Galway travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Hosty (post 1700) +

  • Mary Hosty, best selling Irish author
  • Maureen Hosty, American Associate Professor in the College of Education at Oregon State University
  • James P Hosty Jr., FBI counter-intelligence agent assigned to Lee Harvey Oswald one month prior to the Kennedy assassination, and a lead investigator in the FBI's post-assassination investigation


The Hosty Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ung Dieu, ung loy, ung foy
Motto Translation: Ung Dieu, ung loy, ung foy.


  1. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 80)
  2. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Western Australia, Australia in 1855 with 261 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1855
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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