Celtic Names, Germanic Names, English Names, Gaelic Names

English speaking countries

Hugh was a name of several medieval rulers. There were six Dukes of Burgundy named Hugh, four Counts of Angolême, 4 kings of Cyprus and 13 of Lusignan. Several of the Hughs of Lusignan (Lusignan is a town close to Poitiers in France) were also kings of Cyprus. Hugh Capet was the first king of France of the Capetian dynasty.

Hugh le Despenser and his son, also named Hugh, were favourites of the English king Edward II. They became vastly unpopular with the rest of the court, and were executed at the beginning of the deposition of Edward II in 1326. Hugh the Younger's execution was particularly brutal.

Actors Hugh Laurie, Hugh Grant and Hugh Jackman, and 'Playboy' founder Hugh Hefner are more modern bearers of the name.