The fuse/circuit box would have to be grounded. The problem is the individual branch circuits are not likely grounded (either in the wiring or the receptacles). The problem is not surge (and depending on the surge protector it may not work well without a ground either). Grounds on the branch circuits were provided to give a low impedance path (essentially no normal currents are supposed to be on these wires) to allow the breaker to open quickly in a fault situation. It's mostly an occupant safety thing.

Appliances with two wire plugs are determined to be safe enough as they are. The ones with three wire plugs use the ground internally (for example to protect exposed metal). The one thing you should not do is use one of those three prong to two prong adapters with these things.

One way to get around the lack of grounds is to install a GFCI. While this doesn't provide a ground, it accomplishes one of the reasons the ground is there in the first place. It senses current on the two wires and detects if there is an imbalance meaning the current is going someplace unexpected and then trips and opens the circuit. This is the only approved way to plug in an grounded (three prong) device to an ungrounded circuit.

There may be other issues with older house wiring other than just the lack of grounds. You may wish to have a competent electrician who deals with older houses come and take a look at things for you.