Pugh

The surname Pugh is a later combination of 'ap Hugh', meaning 'son of Hugh'. 

The popularity of the Pugh surname can be attributed to the Welsh patronymic naming tradition. In Wales, individuals were often identified by their father's name using the prefix 'ap' followed by the name of the father. Over time, 'Ap Hugh' evolved into the fixed surname  Pugh. 

In Wales, the surname Pugh is most commonly found in Powys, in central Wales and in Ceredigion, along the western coast. 

In the US, the surname Pugh is most commonly found in:

1. Virginia

2. Missouri

3. North Carolina

4. Ohio

5. Alabama 

Ellis Pugh - early American author, famous Quaker