Surname Howderschilt - Meaning and Origin
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Howderschilt: What does the surname Howderschilt mean?
The last name Howderschilt is a German surname that originated from the region of Rhineland. The term “höw” is an old Germanic word that can be interpreted to mean “house” or “farm,” while “schilt” has the meaning of “shield,” which together can symbolically translate to “protector of the homestead.” Therefore, the surname may have been chosen to signify a person from a long line of individuals who have gained respect as protectors and guardians of their homestead.
The name may also be a shortened version of the expression “Höhen-Schild,” referring to a bulwark used in medieval fortification architecture, perhaps indicating that an ancestor of the Howderschilt family may have had a history as a fortification-builder.
Though the name is of German origin, it may also refer to Dutch immigrants who settled in the United States under the name of Howderschilt. Today, many Howderschilts can be found in Germany, U.S, and other countries around the world, from those who still have a strong connection to their ancestral heritage to those who are more widely dispersed and have settled elsewhere.
At its core, the last name Howderschilt carries with it a sentiment of protection, strength, and tradition. It is a powerful and enduring moniker, and one that many within the Howderschilt family can proudly identify with.
Order DNA origin analysisHowderschilt: Where does the name Howderschilt come from?
The last name Howderschilt is most commonly found in the Netherlands, especially in the province of Friesland. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name, derived from the Dutch word houtderschilt, which means "wooden shield." It may have been used to describe someone who made shields out of wood. Over time, the name was shortened to Howderschilt.
Outside of the Netherlands, Howderschilt is also seen in Germany, Belgium, the United States, Canada, and surrounding countries. The majority of people with this surname are of Dutch and German heritage. It is also seen among those with French and Belgian ancestry, and has even been found among non-European Americans.
In the United States, the last name Howderschilt is relatively rare. According to the 2019 US Census, there were about 400 people in the country with this surname. It is concentrated mostly in the southern states, particularly in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
In Canada, the last name Howderschilt is also relatively uncommon. According to Statistics Canada's 2016 population report, there were only 74 people in the country with this surname, with the majority of them concentrated in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Overall, the last name Howderschilt is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the United States, Canada, and surrounding countries. It is relatively rare in the United States and Canada, but can be found if one looks hard enough.
Variations of the surname Howderschilt
The Howderschilt surname is believed to be of German origin, descending from the ancient and medieval German word “huderschilt”, meaning “hooded coat”. The name is derived from a person who would have worn such a clothing item in order to protect themselves from the elements. The Howderschilt surname has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, each with different roots.
Variants of Howderschilt include Hausderschilt, Hauderschilt, Horderchilt, Houderschilt, Howerschilt, Hundertschilt, and Hunderson. Variants of unrelated origin include Haverschmidt, Hoderschmidt, and Hadersichild.
The spelling of the Howderschilt surname can vary greatly from the original, making it possible for a research of the surname to open up a wider variety of family history. The spelling variations of Howderschilt include Howderschuld, Howdschild, Howdershuldt, Haudershilt, Hudershilt, Hunderschilt, Hoderschilt, Howderschult and Houderschilt.
The spelling of many surnames changed over time due to the changing of various dialects, cultural influences, and migrations. The Howderschilt surname has changed in many areas in both the United States and Europe. The spelling change is consistent with many other German surnames.
Other surnames of the same origin as Howderschilt include Hodderschilt, Hoddershilt, Hoddishil, Howderwhyllt, Howdershil, Howdershield, and Hoddershellt.
There are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Howderschilt surname. Researching the Howderschilt surname can uncover many family connections and provide a more complete picture of an individual’s ancestry.
Famous people with the name Howderschilt
- Bob Howderschilt ― Bob Howderschilt is best known for his role as Philip Banks on the popular television sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- John Howderschilt ― John Howderschilt is a former professional ice hockey player, most notably playing for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League.
- Tim Howderschilt ― Tim Howderschilt is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for his runs as "The Patriot" and as a commentator with WCW.
- Anthony Howderschilt ― Anthony Howderschilt is an actor best known for his roles in the movies Open Range and Dawn of the Dead.
- Phil Howderschilt ― Phil Howderschilt is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, playing with teams like the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox.
- Chris Howderschilt ― Chris Howderschilt is an American television director and producer, known for his work on the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Fringe.
- Emanuel Howderschilt ― Emanuel Howderschilt is a German classical pianist and composer, producing symphonies, lieder and scores for movies and television shows.
- Robert Howderschilt ― Robert Howderschilt is a Dutch-born ballet dancer, choreographer and founder of the Dutch National Ballet Company, and the Grande Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas.
- Greg Howderschilt ― Greg Howderschilt is an American professional cyclist, having competed in the Tour de France as well as other cycling events around the world.
- Sharon Howderschilt ― Sharon Howderschilt was a Canadian actress, best known for her role as White Crane in the satirical western movie, Support Your Local Sheriff.