Surname Howes - Meaning and Origin

Howes: What does the surname Howes mean?

The surname Howes is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographic name for someone who lived by a hill or a mound. It is derived from the Old Norse word "haugr," which means hill or mound. Variations of the name include Hows, Howse, Hews, and Hues. The name first surfaced in the East Anglia region, which includes Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire in England.

The name could also be of occupational origin, referring to a person who worked at or lived near a house or household. In this case, it is derived from the Middle English word "huse."

Over time, the surname spread throughout England and then into other English-speaking countries. Today, it is found in many parts of the world. Despite its diverse origins, the primary connotation of the surname Howes remains linked to its topographical roots, evoking images of living by a mound or hill.

Howes: Where does the name Howes come from?

The surname Howes is of English origin, deriving from either a topographic name for someone living by a mound or hill, from the Middle English word "how(e)," meaning hill, or a habitational name from any of several places named with this word, especially Howe in Norfolk and North Yorkshire. It's also possible that in some cases it may relate to a place called Howe in Leicestershire, which is named from Old Norse "hólar" meaning "hollows."

The surname was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Some of the earliest records of this surname date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

Today, the surname Howes is still most common in England, especially in the Norfolk area. It is also found in the United States and Canada. Family history sites suggest there are currently between 10,000 to 15,000 people with the Howes surname in England and Wales, and around the same number in the United States. These numbers indicate that it is not a particularly common surname today.

Variations of the surname Howes

The surname Howes has several variants and similar versions that derive from the same or similar origin. The name is of English origin and primarily comes from the Anglo-Saxon term "hoh", meaning a hill-spur or a ridge.

Some variants and alternative spellings of Howes include Howe, Hoes, Hoo, Ho, Hough, Haugh, and How. In some exceptional cases where names have phonetically evolved, it can also emerge as Hughes.

Additionally, it's important to note that some surnames found today, like House, may seem like direct variants of Howes, but they actually have different historical origins, despite the phonetic similarity.

Different generations, regional accents and languages also have an impact on the variants of this surname. Over the years, many people have Anglicized their surnames, leading to an array of spellings for the same original surname. This makes it difficult to list exact surnames of the same origin as Howes with complete certainty, but those mentioned represent the most commonly accepted versions.

Always remember that tracing a surname and its origin can involve complex genealogical research and family history, which can introduce multiple possible variables and alternative versions.

Famous people with the name Howes

• Rachel Howes: American radio host for Big Country 97.9 and Student Success Center Program Coordinator at Sioux City Community Schools.
• John Howes: American Film Director best known for his work on Easter Under Wraps (2014) and Christmas in Angel Falls (2017).
• Justin Howes: English historian and musicologist, specialising in the history of rock music in Britain since 1950.
• Charles Howes: British artist and sculptor whose works are part of the Victoria and Albert Museum Collection in London.
• Peter Howes: World War II veteran and British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Hornchurch, Constituency from 1951 to 1964.
• Shattuck Howes: American Naturalist and writer best known for his book, Reed of War Blight (1913).
• Grace Howes: British Actress who starred in “The Crown”, “Game of Thrones” and “Bridgerton”.
• Carrie Howes: Canadian Actress who starred in “How To Be Indie”, “Jessie” and “Lost Tracks”.
• Agnes Howes: nurse turned author, Agnes is the author of the Children’s book series “The Child in the Apple”.
• Gary Howes: Scottish footballer who played professionally from the 1970s to the 1990s for clubs including St Mirren.

Other surnames

HoweHowelHoweldtHöwelhansHowellHowellsHowenHoweryHowethoweverHowey