Show ContentsHowman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Howman. It was a name given to someone who was a person who worked as a servant for Hugh.

"The forms would suggest ‘servant of Hugh’ and the surname may sometimes have this meaning, but such a combination as a personal name is rare or unique. In late Old English times names in -mann were popular and new combinations were formed." [1]

Early Origins of the Howman family

The surname Howman was first found in Huntingdonshire, where there were two records for the family found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Gilbert Houman; and Henry Houman. [2]

Matill filia Hiweman was found in Wiltshire c. 1248 and Hugeman de Assinton was listed in Suffolk in the 13th century. In Huntingdonshire, Willelmus filius Howman was registered there in the Hundredorum Rolls and later, William Hiweman was found in Wiltshire c. 1248. Humphrey Huueman was found in Suffolk in 1277. [1]

Early History of the Howman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howman research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1518, 1585, 1653, 1664, 1724 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Howman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Howman have been found, including Homan, Homans, Howman, Hoeman, Hownam and others.

Early Notables of the Howman family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • John Howman (1518?-1585) of Feckenham, Worcestershire, the last abbot of Westminster. He "was the son of poor peasants named Howman. The parish priest early discovered his abilities, and through the i...

Ireland Migration of the Howman family to Ireland

Some of the Howman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Howman migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Howman, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Howman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Howman, who arrived in New England in 1630 [3]
  • Mrs. Winifred Howman, (Hoeman), aged 35, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" [4]
  • Miss Hannah Howman, (Hoeman), aged 8, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" [4]
  • Mr. Jeremy Howman, (Hoeman), aged 6, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" [4]
  • Miss Mary Howman, (Hoeman), aged 5, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Howman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Howman to Savannah, Georgia in 1821

Australia Howman migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Howman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Howman, (b. 1797), aged 26, British saddler who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life for larceny, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [5]
  • Alfred Howman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Simlah" in 1849 [6]


The Howman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Labile quod opportunum
Motto Translation: That which is opportune is quickly gone, or opportunity soon slips by.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The SIMLAH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Simlah.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook