Surname Howdersheld - Meaning and Origin

Howdersheld: What does the surname Howdersheld mean?

The last name Howdersheld is believed to be of English origin and is generally thought to have derived from one of two sources. The first is a place name, specifically "Howards Hill" which referred to a hill near the town of Howden in East Yorkshire, England. The second is a personal name, possibly Huvard, which goes back to a pre-7th-century Anglo-Saxon period and translates to "bright heart."

Today the surname Howdersheld is found in different spelling variants throughout England and Wales, as well as in some parts of Scotland, Ireland and even American records. The variations in spelling including, but not limited to; Hordisheld, Hondisheld, Howdisheld, and Houdisheld.

Many of today's individuals with this surname are descendants of the earliest recording (Thomas Howdersheld in 1379). Despite the name being rather common in England and Wales, it is likely to have been reduced in use as a result of historic emigration to the United States, Europe and beyond. It does however remain to be seen as a proud symbol of a long-standing heritage.

Howdersheld is certainly a surname worthy of respect and attention in any family line due to its long history and significance. Not often seen in its original form, the name carries a legacy and an energy that is undeniable. It is an ideal surname for families to cherish and learn more of their ancestral connections.

Howdersheld: Where does the name Howdersheld come from?

The Howdersheld surname is most commonly found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The name is likely of English origin, and most commonly found in the southeastern and eastern United States. The surname first appeared in the mid-18th century in the United States when more migrants arrived from England.

The popularity of the surname peaked in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Howdershelt family name now appears to be most concentrated in the counties of Washington in the United States. The name also appears to be most commonly found around the Southeastern states including Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio.

In Australia, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. The name is also common in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

In other parts of the world, the surname can be found in the UK, Canada and Germany.

Today, there are many people across the world who share the Howdersheld surname, hinting at a common ancestor and a shared family history. People with the family can also trace their family history on many websites and genealogy databases to find out the roots of the surname and to learn more about their ancestors.

Variations of the surname Howdersheld

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Howdersheld are Hoodersheld, Howeldershield, Howeldersheld, Huhdersheld, Howsersheld, Howdingshould, and Howdesthield. Howdersheld is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon surnames with a Norman origin.

The roots of the surname can be traced back to as early as the 11th century when the Normans took control of the British Isles. The Normans adopted a patronymic naming system to record the lineage of a family. The surname Howdersheld is a locational name originally derived from a town or village called “Houghton” in Lancashire, indicating the bearer of the name may have come from this region.

In the Middle Ages, surnames varied considerably from locality to locality due to dialects, languages, and referencing in different documents. Variations and spellings of the surnames emerged, including Hoodersheld, Howeldershield, Howeldersheld, Huhdersheld, Howsersheld, Howdingshould, and Howdesthield. These were all direct variations used by bearers of this surname, and the original spelling is thought to have been Howdersheld.

Howdersheld may also have also been subject to the influence of Anglo-Scots and Cumbric languages as the surname may have been derived from the Old English words 'hoh' meaning 'spur of a hill' and 'dersceold' meaning 'shield.' Thus, the original meaning of Howdersheld may have been 'shield hung on the hill-spur.'

As time progressed, the usage and sound of the surname has been modified. For example, the Scottish variant of the surname is Hoodershield, which is thought to have evolved from the English spelling of Howdersheld.

Famous people with the name Howdersheld

• Liz Howdersheld: Liz Howdersheld is a renowned political activist, economist, and philanthropist based out of the United States. She is president of the approved non-profit organization, Stand Up America and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
• Harold Howdersheld: Harold Howdersheld is a well-known economist and business consultant. He served as advisor to U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
• Richard Howdersheld: Richard Howdersheld is a successful contemporary artist whose work has been shown in museums and galleries throughout the world. He is also the co-founder of the Berlin-based Southeast Asia Arts Initiative.
• Robert Howdersheld: Robert Howdersheld is a distinguished attorney, serving as a State Assemblyman in New Jersey for several terms. He is the President of the First Judicial District of New Jersey.
• Peter Howdersheld: Peter Howdersheld is a renowned historian, educator, and author. He is the author of the widely acclaimed books ”The Rise of the American West" and "The American Revolution."
• Eleanor Howdersheld: Eleanor Howdersheld is an esteemed artist and art historian who has received numerous awards for her work in the field. She is known for her inventive color theory work, which has been presented at galleries and museums in the United States and Europe.
• Max Howdersheld: Max Howdersheld is a celebrated urban planner and environmental engineer. He is the co-founder of the Center for Sustainable Urban Design and has won numerous awards for his work in sustainable urban development.
• Clara Howdersheld: Clara Howdersheld is a celebrated human rights activist and filmmaker. Her films on social justice and human rights have been screened at festivals around the world and she has been awarded the Human Rights First Award for her work.
• Anne Howdersheld: Anne Howdersheld is an illustrious dancer and choreographer. She is recognized for developing the interdisciplinary "somatics" approach to contemporary dance and is the founder of the Chicago-based Somatics/Dance Institute.

Other surnames

HowdershellHowdershelt