Howell Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Howell last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Howell last name
Meaning of the Howell last name: from the personal name Hywel ("eminent"). Howell is from the Welsh personal name Hywel, "eminent, conspicuous". Hywel Dda, the 10th-century king who codified Welsh law, made it a favourite name in Wales. The surname developed when Welsh families took a father's name as a fixed surname, so Howell is common in south Wales and the border counties. Powell, from ap Hywel, "son of Hywel", is the most common related form. Howells also settled early in Virginia and Maryland. The Welsh name Hywel was borne by several rulers of Gwynedd and Deheubarth, and medieval records show it as Hoel and Houel. In Brittany, the related name Hoël was used by dukes of Brittany. The -s form Howells is also common in Glamorgan. Welsh emigrants took Howell to Pennsylvania in the late 17th century, and the name spread across the American South.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Howell name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Howell name in Wales. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as England, the United States and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Howell pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Howell coat of arms.
Howell name FAQ
What does the Howell name mean?
From the personal name Hywel ("eminent"). Common variants include Hywel, Howel, Powell.
Where does the Howell surname come from?
It originates in Wales, and is also found in England, the United States and Australia.
Is there a Howell coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Howell crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Howell coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.