Howard


Select Howard Surname Genealogy

The name Howard does not appear to have one single origin, but many.  One theory is that the name is derived from the Norman French names Huard or Heward which came to England after the Norman Conquest. Huardus, Huart and Houardus all appeared as landowners in the Domesday Book of 1086.  Others see the Old Norse name Haward, from ha meaning "high" and varthr "warden," as an alternative origin, particularly in East Anglia.  Howards were also to be found in sizeable numbers in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Then again there were occupational connotations.  John Howeherde from Derbyshire in 1348 came from "ewe-herd."  Later parish registers find Howard often used for Hayward, the guardian of the hedge in the feudal manorial system.  For instance, the Haywards of Ashton under Lyme in Lancashire became Howards around 1750.

The first recorded spelling of the family name was probably that of Robert Howarde, dated 1221 in the rolls of Ely Abbey, Cambridgeshire.  The Howard family who became the Dukes of Norfolk were originally from Norfolk.  Sir William Howard first appeared in public records as the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1277.  These Howards, the premier dukes of England, are now based at Arundel castle in Sussex.  They have been through their long history staunch Roman Catholics.         

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John Howard became the first Duke of Norfolk in 1483.   
Catherine Howard from this Norfolk family was the fifth wife of Henry VIII and beheaded in 1542.
John Howard was an 18th century English penal reformer.  The Howard League for Penal Reform is named after him.
Frankie Howard was a popular English comedian noted for his risque humor.
John Howard was Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007.

Select Howards Today

  • 47,000 in the UK (most numerous in Surrey)
  • 78,000 in America (most numerous in Texas)
  • 32,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Australia)