Surname Howen - Meaning and Origin
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Howen: What does the surname Howen mean?
The last name Howen is of English origin, and is thought to be a variant of the surname “Haydn”. The name is thought to come from a place name, with the prefix “ho-” meaning an artificial hill, mound, or heap, and the suffix “-wen” referring to a place of or near water, such as a marsh or brook. It is likely that the surname came from a person living near an artificial hill (such as a burial mound or castle mound) that was near water.
The surname could also have originated from the Old English name “Hawen”, which is derived from the personal name Haw and the suffix “-en”, meaning “son of”. This could suggest that the family was part of a large family line with the same name descending from a common ancestor.
In other contexts, Howen may also be a variation of the name “Howland”, which is derived from the Old English name “Huw land”, meaning “bright land”.
No matter which origin it is descended from, the surname Howen is associated with a long history of family, stability, and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisHowen: Where does the name Howen come from?
The last name Howen is found most commonly today in the United States, particularly in sections of the Midwest and South. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Howen is the 11,666th most popular surname in the country as of 2020, with an estimated 6,263 people bearing the name. The Howen family is especially prevalent in the state of Nebraska, with nearly 2,000 Howen households residing there.
Howen is also found with some frequency in northern England, where it originated as an occupational surname for those employed in the town of Howden in the East Riding of Yorkshire. That branch of the Howen family has largely grown and spread to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and other parts of England. There is also a smaller presence of the name Howen in Australia and New Zealand, most likely stemming from immigration of British citizens to the countries centuries ago.
The exact origin of the surname Howen is not definitively known, though it is likely derived from the given name Huon or Hugh. Such variations of this name, believed to be derived from Germanic roots, were popular throughout medieval England and France.
In sum, the last name Howen is most commonly found today primarily in the United States, with certain pockets of the family also present in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Howen
The surname Howen has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include, but are not limited to, Howen, Hawen, Hawn, Hoan, Houn, Hoin and Houen.
The most common surname variant of Howen is Hawen. This spelling can have multiple origin points and different variations in spelling. It is most likely from Wales and derived from the given name Hugh, originally spelled as ‘Hu’ or ‘Huw’. Hawen can also be an Americanized version of German surname Hohen, which means ‘high’ or ‘noble’.
The second most common spelling for Howen is Hawn. This variant is most commonly found in North America and is a variation of the German surname Hohn. This spelling is found primarily as a result of the Anglicization of the German language when immigrants to North America encountered local dialects and altered their names to suit the new language.
The third common variant of Howen is Hoan. This spelling is found primarily in the United States and is a form of the name Hansen which is of German origin. It was likely anglicized at the same time as the other German immigrant surnames.
Fourthly, the spelling Houn is found occasionally. It is most likely a distorted form of Hawen. This spelling of Howen is primarily found in North America and is usually the result of hearing or transcribing a name incorrectly.
Finally, Hoin and Houen are two less common variants of the Howen surname. These spelling have also been anglicized from their German origin names, and are found both in the United States or Canada.
Overall, the surname Howen has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin ranging from Hawen to Houen. All are anglicized from their Germanic origins, and are found primarily in the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Howen
- Emily Howen: British actress, known for her work in "The Unicorn" and "Victoria & Abdul."
- Keith Howen: Academy Award-winning American movie producer, known for his involvement in "Lion" and "The Terminal."
- Evan Howen: internationally renowned American artist, known for his sculpture and painting works.
- Jack Howen: professional British rugby player, currently playing for Sale Sharks.
- Drake Howen: American ice hockey player, currently playing in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Alice Howen: British art historian and curator, currently working in the British Museum.
- Laurie Howen: Canadian politician, currently serving as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Toronto, Canada.
- David Howen: American singer and songwriter, most notably recognized for his work in the group Sublime.
- Cara Howen: American television presenter, currently seen in the TV series Fox Sports Canoe Live.
- Fred Howen: Canadian television and film director, known for his work on "Superman: The Animated Series" and "X-Men: Evolution".