Surname Howrey - Meaning and Origin
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Howrey: What does the surname Howrey mean?
The last name Howrey is derived from the German word “hohe” meaning “high.” It is believed that Howrey probably originated as a nickname, given to a person who was tall or of lofty status. In Middle English, “hore” or “howre” meant “prominent,” which is another possible explanation.
This last name is first recorded in America in records from 1635 when Thomas Howrie immigrated from England and settled in Rhode Island. As the family moved to other parts of America, Howrey became a more common surname throughout the country.
The Howrey family is historically associated with the German aristocracy and it is likely that there were members of the family who gained influential positions within society. The name may also have been associated with associated with a trade like a blacksmith, tailor or miller.
The Howrey family is now widely spread across the United States and all over the world. It is interesting to consider how a surname based in German meaning “high” or “prominent” has been carried so far from its roots.
Order DNA origin analysisHowrey: Where does the name Howrey come from?
The last name Howrey is most commonly found in the United States today. In fact, Howrey is the 3,726th most popular surname in the country, with an estimated 16,912 people bearing this name. In 2020, Howrey made the list of the Top 1000 Surnames Accounted For in the United States.
Howrey is thought to have originated from an old French name, “de Hourihuelle”, which translates to “on the hill of Hourie”. The name Hofrath was sometimes used as a surname variant for Howrey.
The states that have the most people with the Howrey last name are California, Washington, Florida, New York, Idaho and Michigan. California and Washington have the highest concentration of Howreys, with 905 and 707 people respectively. Florida, New York, Idaho have 571, 351and 288 people respectively who share the Howrey last name. Lastly, Michigan currently has 254 Howreys.
The Howrey last name is most notably associated with 19th and 20th century California pioneer, William Howrey, who settled in Sonoma Valley in 1853 and acquired expansive ranch lands. He later established a ferry service. Many of William’s descendants continue to live in Sonoma County today.
In addition to the United States, smaller populations of Howreys can be found in Canada, England, Australia, and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Howrey
The surname Howrey is of Scottish and English origin, and there are several variants and spellings of this name.
Variants of the surname include Howary, Howrie, Howary, Howrey, Howray, and Howry. There are also several spelling variations, such as Howell, Howel, Howells, Howells, and Howells.
The derivation of the name from Old Gaelic is thought to be Hughshrigh, which literally means 'the bright one' or 'the one who provides illumination.' A common surname all over Scotland, the name may even have had royal roots, with the surname popular among many of the Scottish clans.
The surname is also found in England, with the English spelling becoming more common in the 19th century. In England, the name is often seen spelled as Howery, and variants include O'Howrey, O'Howry, O'Howery, and O'Houry.
Surnames linked to the original 'Howrey' name include Hawrey, Halrey, Halreye, Hailrey, Hailri, Hailrye, Harrey, Harrye, Harlie, Harly, Hartie, and Halry.
No matter the variant or spelling, the Howrey name is of ancient Scottish and English origin, and has been a popular surname for hundreds of years.
Famous people with the name Howrey
- Simon Howrey: British actor, comedian, and writer.
- Edmund Howrey: American botanist, taxonomist, and philatelist.
- Pam Howrey: American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Christian Howrey: Bassist and producer from Omaha, Nebraska.
- Ted Howrey: American actor, stuntman, comedian, and director.
- Will Howrey: British film and television actor.
- Peter M. Howrey: American lawyer, civil rights activist, and judge.
- Sam Howrey: American actor and filmmaker.
- Spencer Howrey: American poet and musician.
- Benjamin Howrey: British actor, director, and composer.