Show ContentsHowitch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Howitch family

The surname Howitch was first found in North Yorkshire at Bridge Hewick, a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district. The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it first listed as Heawic. 1 Literally the place name is derived from the Old English "brycg" for "at the bridge" and "heah+wic", collectively meaning a "high or chief dairy-farm." 2 Copt Hewick is a village and civil parish also in the Harrogate district and both places' history are intertwined. The earliest record the latter village was found in 1208 when it was listed as Coppedehaiwic, while the former village was later listed as Hewik atte brigg in 1309. 2 Copt Hewick's prefix was derived from the Old English word "coppede" and meant "with a peak of hill-top." 2

Early History of the Howitch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howitch research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1296 and 1425 are included under the topic Early Howitch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howitch Spelling Variations

The name, Howitch, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Hawick, Hawic and others.

Early Notables of the Howitch family

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

Migration of the Howitch family

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. 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." Among the early settlers bearing the Howitch surname who came to North America were: George Hawick who settled in New England in 1680.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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