Surname Howie - Meaning and Origin

Howie: What does the surname Howie mean?

The last name Howie is of Scottish origin, believed to be derived from Old Norse element hǫv- meaning “low land or hill” and the Old Scottish term “hoo” meaning “a low hill.” It is an ancient name, described in a chronicle from 1279 A.D. as “Ho, a messuage near Paislay.” The surname Howie is thought to have been adopted by a family from the old kingdom of Strathclyde, who possessed land in Ayrshire called “Ho.” Later, the name was used as a patronymic surname, following the traditional custom of naming a child after his or her father.

In Scotland, the Howies are an ancient clan that has been well-documented since the 12th century. The Howies are believed to have been a powerful family of landowners, supporting the Scottish kings. They were said to have fought bravely in the Scottish wars of independence and established a clan that was loyal to the monarchy.

Today, the Howie name is found around the world, in countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and more. The name is still held in high regard and continues to be associated with strength, good character, and loyalty.

Howie: Where does the name Howie come from?

Howie is an English and Scottish surname. In England, the surname is particularly common in North East England around the city of Newcastle. In Scotland, the surname is especially common around the Perth and Kinross region.

Today, this surname is relatively uncommon in the United States, but it is in the top 1000 names in Scotland. The United States Census Bureau's 2018 data shows that there are 1,083 people with the surname Howie in the United States.

In 2019, the most populous city in the United States for people with the surname Howie is Nashville, Tennessee. According to the 2019 data, Nashville has the highest population of Howie's at 155 people, followed by Houston, Texas at 82 people.

Overall, the Howie surname is still present in certain parts of the world, but it is not particularly common today. However, its use is growing in the United States, which means it could become a much more common name in the future.

Variations of the surname Howie

The surname Howie is a variant of the Scottish clan name ‘MacHowie’, which is derived from the Old Norse personal name of ‘Hugi’ or ‘Hugh’. The surname Howie is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly the Isle of Skye, and is also present in all of the other countries of the United Kingdom. Variations of the surname Howie include the spelling Howey, Howie, Howy, MacHowie, McHowie, MacHowy, McHowy, and McHugh.

In Scotland, the MacHowie/McHowie variant is generally spelled the same way, with Mac and Mc used interchangeably. In England, however, the MacHowy spelling is often preferred. In Ireland, the variant most commonly seen is McHugh.

The surname Howie is fairly popular in the United States, where it is found in all 50 states, as well as in Canada. Variants of the surname found in the United States more commonly include Howey, Howie, Howy, and MacHowy.

The surname Howie can also be found throughout Australia and New Zealand, although it is much less common there. Variants of the surname found in these countries include Howey, Howie, MacHowie, and McHowie.

In other parts of the world, the surname Howie may be spelled slightly differently or with a different variant, such as Houi, Hourie, Howi, Howai, Houey, Howei, or Howei.

Famous people with the name Howie

• Jack Howie: an Australian actor known for his roles in the films "Gone" and "Ground Punishment".
• Matthew Howie: a professional footballer who currently plays for 05 Amberg in Bundesliga III.
• Julia Howie: an English actress known for her roles in the films "White Lie" and "Bollywood Dozens".
• Sean Howie: an American country music singer-songwriter and actor.
• Maurice Howie: a Scottish actor best known for his roles in "The Game", "High School Commandos", and "The Audience".
• Andrea Howie: an American voice actress who has provided voices for several anime series, including "Hello Kitty and I".
• Craig Howie: a Scottish professional darts player who has competed in PDC World Championships and the UK Open.
• Julian Howie: a 1924 Olympic competitor for Great Britain in the two-hand lift.
• Gary Howie: a retired professional Canadian football linebacker who played four seasons in the CFL.
• Benjamin Howie: a young footballer who is currently a midfielder for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Scotland.

Other surnames

HowinHowitt