Show ContentsHowartson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Howartson is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest brought to England in 1066. The Howartson family lived in Huet, near Evreux, in Normandy, France. 1 The name is extended to denote "son of," as in "son of Huet." 2

Early Origins of the Howartson family

The surname Howartson was first found in Yorkshire, where Henry Hwetsone was listed as a Freeman of York in 1363. A few years later, Richard Huetson was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2

Early History of the Howartson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howartson research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1489 and 1544 are included under the topic Early Howartson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howartson Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Hewitson, Hewartson, Hewetson and others.

Early Notables of the Howartson family

More information is included under the topic Early Howartson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Howartson family to Ireland

Some of the Howartson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Howartson family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Howartson or a variant listed above: Thomas Hewitson, who came to Jamaica in 1724; Rowland Hewetson, a bonded passenger, who arrived in America in 1733; William Hewison, who came to Georgia in 1775.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook