Show ContentsHoway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Howay family

The surname Howay was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire. The family originated in Howie, which is now believed to be an obsolete place name. 1

Early History of the Howay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howay research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1519, 1567, 1591, 1625, 1634, 1667 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Howay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Howie, Howe, Howey, Howy and others.

Early Notables of the Howay family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Robert Howe or Howie, principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen, author of De Aeterna Dei Procidentia, Basel, 1591, Latinized his name Hovaeus. Archibald Howie was burgess of Glasgow...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Howay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Howay family to Ireland

Some of the Howay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Howay family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Rice Howe, who settled in Virginia in 1618; two years before the "Mayflower," Sarah and William settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635. Other bearers of this name settled in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Barbados, and New York between 1635 and 1865.



  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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