Surname Howlin - Meaning and Origin

Howlin: What does the surname Howlin mean?

The surname Howlin is of Irish origin and can be Anglicized from two different Gaelic spellings: "O hOurmhaoil" or "O hOurmhaigh". Its literal meaning is “descendant of the great hound,” and is derived from the Irish word "ormhing"; half-hound, half human mythical creature of Gaelic mythology. Howlin is an uncommon surname, but is found largely in and around the province of Munster, particularly Vanmor, in County Tipperary.

It is thought that the family originally descended from Uirmhig, a noble prince who lived in the early 13th century, as part of the Huirmhig dynasty of Mac Conghalaigh family. This family was renowned for its brave warriors, and would have at one time been the most powerful branch of the powerful Mac Conghalaigh clan.

The Howlin name is often associated with a colorful history. There are many stories passed down from generation to generation that document the deeds of Howlin ancestors. They were known for their bravery and courage in battle and many of these characteristics have passed on to present day Howlin family members.

Common Howlin family traits and values, such as loyalty, hard work, and loyalty are shared by many of the family. As the Howlin name remains connected to its noble Irish origins, the proud legacy of the Howlin family lives on.

Howlin: Where does the name Howlin come from?

Howlin is a name of English and Irish origin. The name is still in use today in both countries, particularly in its native Ireland. In the 2016 Irish census, the name Howlin was noted to be the 275th most common surname in Ireland.

In England, the name is much less common; according to the 2018 UK census, it was the 483,799th most common name. However, some famous people from England still bear the name, such as the footballer and coach Keith Howlin and the actor Michael Howlin, who is best known for his role in the TV series, The Bill.

The name is also listed in records in other parts of the world. In Canada, it is listed as the 1902nd most common surname, while in the United States it ranks as the 3913th most common name. The Howlin family was also a prominent one in Australia during the 19th century with some members involved in politics, law, and business. And in New Zealand, records show that the name is still in use today.

To sum up, Howlin is a name that still in use today in all English-speaking countries, though its prevalence varies from country to country. In Ireland it is the 275th most common surname while in England, it is much less common at 483,799th place. In Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, it is also still listed in records as a relatively common name.

Variations of the surname Howlin

The surname Howlin has several variants and spellings, including Howlan, Howling, Howlen, Howlin, Howland, Howlings, Howlin', Howling', and Holiday.

The root of Howlin originates from England and is derived from one of two medieval given names—Hugh or Hall. These given names were originally formed from archaic Germanic elements, hugh, meaning "heart, mind, or spirit," or hall, meaning "rock." Becoming popular during the Anglo-Norman period, Hugh was an especially common given name in Ireland. It is possible that Howlin was originally an Anglicization of two Irish surnames—Ó hUallacháin or Ó hEoghailmhanaigh—which itself are derived from the given name Uallachán or Eoghalmhán.

Howlin is sometimes used as a variant of Hulin, which has two distinct possible origins in Ireland. It may be derived from the Irish Mag Uallacháin, which is derived from the given name Uallachán. Alternatively, it may be derived from the Irish Mag Auliffe, which is derived from the given name Amhlaoibh (Amhlaoibh's anglicized form is Humphrey). Humphrey is derived from the Old German elements hung, meaning "brave," and frid, meaning "peace."

In the United States, Howlin is most often found in the southern parts of the country, particularly in Texas. Additional variants found in the United States include Howling and Howleen.

Famous people with the name Howlin

• Joe Howlin: a retired English actor best known for his roles in shows such as Emmerdale, Holby City, and Casualty.
• Roy Howlin: a professional wrestler and trainer who competed in many countries such as Japan, England, Canada and the United States.
• Arthur Howlin: a former English footballer who represented clubs such as Port Vale, Sheffield Wednesday, and Stoke City.
• Thomas Howlin: a former English footballer who represented clubs such as Derby County and Bradford City.
• Mike Howlin: an English musician who is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the indie rock band Pipeline.
• Gennady Howlin: a professional darts player from Belarus who regularly competes in PDC events.
• Paula Howling: an English sculptor and painter whose work has been exhibited in many countries and featured in publications such as New York Times, Open House, and Creative Bloq.
• Brian Howlin: a former Irish Minister for Health and Children who served in the government of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
• Will Howlin: an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music has been featured in many film, television, and stage works.
• Candy Howlin: a Canadian-American country singer-songwriter who has released several albums and is known for her unique blend of traditional country twang and contemporary folk sounds.

Other surnames

Howling