Howard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Howard

What does the name Howard mean?

The name Howard originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived from the Old French name Huard or the Old German name Howard. The former name is derived from the Old German name Hugihard, which literally means heart-brave. The latter name, which is also spelled Howart, is a cognate of the Old Norse name Haward and means high or chief warden.

Occasionally, the surname Howard may have been applied to someone who worked at a dairy farm at which female sheep were kept. In this case, the derivation is from the Old English words eowu, which means ewe, and hierde, which means herd.

In other cases, the name was adopted from where the person was born as in "William, son of Roger Fitz Valevine, took the name of Howard from being born in the Castle of Howard, in Wales, in the time of Henry I." 1 Another source sums up the diversity of the family's origin thusly: "Camden, the most important witness of all, places Howard amongst the names in use in England at the time of the Conquest. In all probability this name has had more than one origin." 2

Early Origins of the Howard family

The surname Howard was first found in Norfolk, where one of the first records of the family was Elwin le Heyvard, who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls listed Alice le Heyward in Huntingdonshire and Geoffrey le Hayward in Cambridgeshire. Later, William Heyward or Howard was Sheriff of Norwich, Norfolk in 1657. 3

"The church [of East Winch in Norfolk] is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a square embattled tower; in the east window are the arms of Vere and Howard, and on the north side is the ancient chapel of St. Mary, the burial-place of the latter family. Near Grancourt House, which was the seat of Sir William Howard, who purchased the manor in the reign of Edward the First, are some slight remains of a religious house." 4

But the family quickly became widespread. Epworth in Lincolnshire was another ancient family seat. "This place, which is the principal town in the Isle of Axholme, a district comprising the north-west portion of the county, was anciently the residence of the Howard family, who had a castellated mansion here, of which nothing now remains except the site, where within the last 70 years have been dug up some of the cannon belonging to the fortifications." 4

In Westmorland, at Levens in the parish, union, and ward of Kendal another early branch of the family was found. "On the eastern bank of the river Kent, which is crossed by a bridge on the Kendal road, is Levens Hall, the venerable mansion of the Howards, embosomed in a fine park, and crowned with towers, which, overtopping the highest trees, command extensive prospects on every side. The Howard family built the chapel, a parsonage, and schools, and endowed the living. " 4

Early History of the Howard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howard research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1443, 1485, 1520, 1524, 1536, 1542, 1585, 1587, 1588, 1615, 1624, 1626, 1651, 1654, 1669, 1675, 1679, 1689, 1698, 1701, 1703, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Howard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howard Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Howard has appeared include Howard, Howerd and others.

Early Notables of the Howard family

Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443-1524) and 1st Earl of Surrey, who fought for King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485
Catherine Howard (circa 1520-1542), a cousin of Anne Boleyn and the 5th wife of Henry VIII, executed in 1542
Alethea Howard, 13th Baroness Furnivall, Countess of Arundel (1585-1654) wife of Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel
Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Berkshire (1587-1669), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons
Charles Howard, 2nd Earl of Berkshire KB (1615-1679), an English peer
Edward Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Escrick (died 1675), a British nobleman and Parliamentarian
Sir Robert Howard (1626-1698), an English playwright and politician
Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham (1536-1624), English naval officer, who led the British victory over Spanish Armada in 1588

Howard World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Howard is the 115^th most popular surname with an estimated 42,446 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Howard is ranked the 116^th most popular surname with an estimated 23,338 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Howard is the 274^th popular surname with an estimated 2,225 people with that name. 7 Canada ranks Howard as 383^rd with 12,146 people. 8 The United States ranks Howard as 65^th with 273,570 people. 9

Migration of the Howard family to Ireland

Some of the Howard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howard migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Robert Howard, (1767 - 1852), aged 22, British settler convicted at Buckinghamshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Miss Ann Howard, (1758 - 1832), aged 29, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. John Howard, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Third Fleet

Mr. Thomas Howard, (b. 1754), aged 33, English settler convicted in London on 12th January 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Mr. John Howard, (b. 1763), aged 24, English labourer convicted in London on 23rd July 1783, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Howard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Howard, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. James Howard, British Convict who was convicted in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Howard, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Thomas Howard, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Thomas Howard, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Howard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Howard, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Mr Howard, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Antilla
James Howard, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
Mr. Howard, British settler travelling from Cape of Good Hope, South Africa aboard the ship "Antilla" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 8th December 1841 14
Mrs. Howard, British settler travelling from Cape of Good Hope, South Africa aboard the ship "Antilla" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 8th December 1841 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 15

Howard Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Lawrence Howard, aged 30, who arrived in Jamaica in 1684 16

Howard migration to Canada +

Howard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Dier Howard U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 17
Mr. Edward Howard U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 17
Capt. John Howard U.E. who settled in Quaco [St. Martins], New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in the King's Orange Rangers 17
Mr. John Howard U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 17
Mr. John Howard Sr., U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robert Howard, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Sea Horse" in 1833
Sarah Magory Howard, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
Henry Howard, aged 35, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
Johanah Howard, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
Eliza Howard, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard migration to the United States +

Howard Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Howard, aged 24, who settled in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Swan"
Judeth Howard, who landed in Virginia in 1622 16
John Howard, who settled in Virginia in 1634
William Howard, aged 16, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe"
Samuel Howard, who landed in America in 1635 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Susan Howard, who landed in Virginia in 1701 16
Margaret Howard, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 16
Authur Howard, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 16
Eignon Howard, who arrived in America in 1758 16
James Howard, who landed in America in 1760-1763 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Howard, aged 8, who landed in America in 1803 16
George Howard, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1812 16
George W Howard, aged 29, who landed in Maryland in 1812 16
Joshua Howard, who landed in America in 1815 16
Dexter Howard, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Howard (post 1700) +

Ronald William "Ron" Howard (b. 1954), American Academy Award winning film and television actor and director, best known for his movies Cocoon, Apollo 13, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and many more, inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013.
Michael John James George Robert Howard (1935-2022), 21st Earl of Suffolk & 14th Earl of Berkshire, styled Viscount Andover until 1941, an English peer
Barry Frederick Howard (1937-2016), English actor known for Hi-de-Hi! (1980), Open Casket (2004) and His Favourite Family (1968)
Elizabeth Jane Howard CBE, FRSL, (1923-2014), English novelist who won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for her first novel, The Beautiful Visit (1950)
Trevor Howard (1913-1988), award-winning English film, stage, and television actor
Tommy Ruth Howard (1921-1985), née Berry, American Technical sergeant in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Kevyn Major Howard (1956-2025), Canadian actor and photographer, best known for his role as Private First Class "Rafterman" in Stanley Kubrick's war film Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Rhyne Howard (b. 2000), American professional gold and bronze medalist basketball player, who competed at the FIBA AmeriCup and 2024 Summer Olympics
Richard Howard (1944-2024), British actor known for his role in Emmerdale Farm (1979-1981)
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Howard family +

Grover Shoe factory

Mrs. Howard, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she survived by leaping from a window 18
Master Eric S. Howard (1909-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 19
Mrs. Florence Howard, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
Master Eddie Howard (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
Mrs. Marion Howard (1891-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
... (Another 16 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Howard 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: Sola virtus invicta
Motto Translation: Virtue alone invincible.

Sources +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance