Show ContentsHowton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Howton family

The surname Howton was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire at Howden, a small market town and civil parish. The town pre-dates the Norman Conquest, as the first record of the place was as Heafuddene in the year 959, when King Edgar of England granted his first wife, Ethelfleda, Howden Manor. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish was listed as Hovedene from the Old English heafod + denu and it literally meant "valley by the headland" or "spit of land." 1

The Domesday Book lists the lands that were held at that time by the Bishop of Durham, and he conferred the church upon the monks of Durham. 2 He kept Howden Manor for himself. "This place, which is of considerable antiquity, was distinguished for its collegiate establishment, founded by Robert, Bishop of Durham, in 1266, for Secular clerks, and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Cuthbert." 3

Roger of Hoveden or Howden (d. 1201?), was a chronicler, "probably a native of Howden, a possession of the see of Durham, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and very possibly a brother of a William of Hoveden, who was chaplain of Hugh de Puiset, bishop of Durham." 4

John de Houton (d. 1246), was an early English justice and was appointed Archdeacon of Bedford in 1216. "From this time forward he was frequently employed in a judicial capacity, and seems to have been high in the royal favour. As Archdeacon of Bedford he decided several cases in which the priory of Dunstable was concerned, especially two between the monks and burgesses of Dunstable in 1221 and 1228." 4

Early History of the Howton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howton research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1268, 1275, 1296, 1382, 1383, 1386, 1397, 1523 and 1530 are included under the topic Early Howton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howton Spelling Variations

The name Howton, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Howden, Houden, Howdin, Howdon, Hawden, Hawdon and others.

Early Notables of the Howton family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was John of Howden (fl. 1268-1275), also known as John of Hoveden, a 13th century English Franciscan friar. John of Howden, who was prebendary of the church of Howden in Yorkshire, is generally...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Howton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howton Ranking

In the United States, the name Howton is the 14,295th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5


United States Howton migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Howton family, or who bore a variation of the surname Howton were

Howton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Howton, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Howton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Wilford Howton, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1922
  • J. Howton, aged 34, who settled in America, in 1922
  • Wilfred Howton, aged 34, who immigrated to America, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Howton (post 1700) +

  • William Harris "Billy" Howton (b. 1930), former American football end from Littlefield, Texas


The Howton 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: Ferio, tego
Motto Translation: I strike, I cover.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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