Show ContentsHowell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Howell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Howell

What does the name Howell mean?

The ancestors of the name Howell are thought to have lived among the ancient Britons, who inhabited in the hills and Moors of present day Wales. This particular surname was derived from the Welsh personal name Hoel, which was originally derived from the Old Welsh name Houel. This name was imported by Welsh settlers into the English counties bordering Wales; however, in the eastern English counties, the name was brought by Breton settlers. The Breton forms of the name were Houuel, Huwel, Huwal, and Howael.

Early Origins of the Howell family

The surname Howell was first found in Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy), where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

King Hoel, also known as Sir Howel, Saint Hywel and Hywel the Great, was a late 5th and early 6th-century member of the ruling dynasty of Cornouaille.

Vychan Howel that is, Howel the Little (d. 825), was a Welsh prince, said to have been son of Rhodri, a reputed descendant of Cunedda and King of Gwynedd, or North Wales. "But Rhodri died in 754, and nothing is heard of Howel or of his brother Cynan whom the tenth-century genealogy of Owain ab Howel Dda makes son of Rhodri, until over fifty years later. Possibly they were Rhodri's grandsons, who emerge from obscurity when the downfall of the Mercian overlordship gave Welsh kings a better chance to attain to power. In 813 there was war between Howel and his brother Cynan, in which Howel conquered. It apparently arose from Cynan driving Howel out of Anglesey, and resulted in Howel's restoration in 814. In 816 Howel was again expelled, but the Saxons invaded Snowdon and slew Cynan. This probably brought Howel back again. He died in 825. The name Vychan comes from a late authority." 1

Dda Howel, that is, Howel the Good (d. 950), the most famous of the early Welsh kings, was the son of Cadell, the son of Rhodri Mawr, through whom his pedigree was traced by a tenth-century writer up to Cunedda and thence to 'Anne, cousin of the Blessed Virgin.' 1

Howel ab Ieuav, or Howel Ddrwg, that is, Howel The Bad (d. 984), the North Welsh prince, was the son of Ieuav, son of Idwal, who was imprisoned and deprived of his territory by his brother Iago about 969. 1

Howel ab Edwin (d. 1044), the South Welsh prince, was son of Edwin, son of Eineon, who was the son of Owain, the eldest son and successor of Howel Dda [q. v.] 1

Early History of the Howell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howell research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1170, 1300, 1313, 1356, 1381, 1588, 1593, 1625, 1644, 1645, 1650, 1657, 1660, 1666 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Howell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howell Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Howell has seen various spelling variations: Howell, Howel, Hawell, Howels, Howells, Hovell and many more.

Early Notables of the Howell family

  • Rt. Rev. Thomas Howell (1588-1650), Welsh Bishop of Bristol from 1644 to 1645, born in Llangamarch, Brecknockshire
  • Francis Howell (1625-1679), Principal of Jesus College, Oxford from 1657 to 1660
  • James Howell (c.1593-1666) famous writer who lead a colourful life as a world traveler, and royalist spy

Howell World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Howell is the 361st most popular surname with an estimated 17,373 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Howell is ranked the 404th most popular surname with an estimated 9,137 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Howell is the 523rd popular surname with an estimated 1,320 people with that name. 4 Canada ranks Howell as 900th with 5,968 people. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Howell as 124th with 291 people. 6 The United States ranks Howell as 219th with 119,376 people. 7

Migration of the Howell family to Ireland

Some of the Howell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howell 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. Samuel Howell, (1772 - 1835), aged 17, British settler convicted at Hampshire, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
  • Mr. William Howell, (b. 1769), aged 20, British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing malt, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Richard Howell, (b. 1772), aged 18, Irish settler convicted in Dublin, Ireland in 1790, sentenced to Life for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Howell, (b. 1759), aged 28, English labourer convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire on 5th October 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Howell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Howell, 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 9
  • Mr. John Howell, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. Peter Howell, (b. 1790), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years for forgery, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1877 11
  • Mr. Thomas Howell, Jr., (b. 1792), aged 27, English labourer who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1866 12
  • Mr. Charles Howell, British Convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howell 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:

Howell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Howell, (b. 1806), aged 34, British bricklayer travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
  • Mrs. Eliza Howell, (b. 1810), aged 30, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
  • Mr. Howell, (b. 1831), aged 9, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
  • Miss Howell, (b. 1838), aged 2, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
  • Simeon Howell, aged 23, a smith, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howell migration to Canada +

Howell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Howell Sr., U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 443 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 15
  • Master.JosephHowell Jr., U.E. (b. 1771), aged 12 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 618 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 15
  • Mr. Matthew Howell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 15
  • Mr. Warren Howell U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 15
  • Mr. John Howell U.E. who settled in Sophiasburgh and Ameliasburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Howell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Nathan Howell, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Garet Howell, who arrived in Canada in 1832
  • Isaac Laning Howell, who arrived in Canada in 1834
  • Mr. Thomas Howell, aged 15 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In September 1847 16
  • Mr. Edmund Howell, aged 4 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Mail" departing 25th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 19th June 1847 but he died on board 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Howell migration to the United States +



Howell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Andrew Howell, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1624 18
  • Arthur Howell, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 18
  • Walter Howell, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 18
  • Henry Howell, who landed in Virginia in 1637 18
  • Cobb Howell, who landed in Virginia in 1638 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Howell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Martha Howell, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 18
  • Evan Howell, who landed in Virginia in 1705 18
Howell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Howell, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1807 18
  • James Howell, aged 23, who landed in New York in 1812 18
  • Rufus Howell, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 18
  • Simon Howell, who arrived in Mississippi in 1850 18
  • Robert F Howell, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Howell (post 1700) +

  • Mr. John William Howell, Welsh coal miner working in Tynewydd coal mine in Wales on 11th April 1877, he was awarded the Albert Medal for lifesaving
  • Chauncey D. Howell Jr. (1935-2021), American newscaster, radio journalist, and print journalist, five-time Emmy Award recipient
  • Mrs. Adrienne Howell B.E.M., British teacher of Brass, appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to the community in Mere, Wiltshire 19
  • Henry Vernon "Harry" Howell (1932-2019), Canadian professional NHL hockey player from Hamilton, Ontario who played a record 1,160 games for the New York Rangers
  • Brigadier-General George Pierce Howell Jr. (1901-1979), American Commandant of the Parachute School (1942-1943) 20
  • John McDade Howell (1922-2016), American academic, 7th Chancellor of East Carolina University
  • Lida Howell (1859-1939), American three time Olympic gold medalist for archery at the 1904 Summer Games
  • Brigadier-General Reese Maughan Howell (1889-1967), American Commanding Officer Artillery, 9th Division (1943-1946) 21
  • Brigadier-General Clark Howell (1894-1966), American Adjutant-General of Georgia (1943-1944) 22
  • ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Miss Lilian Howell (1904-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Brantford, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
  • Mrs. Alice Howell (1873-1914), née Waters Canadian Third Class Passenger from Brantford, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
  • Miss Helen Constance  Howell (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 24
  • Bernard John Howell (d. 1942), British Musician aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 25
  • Doug Howell, British aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 26
  • ... (Another 13 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. 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
  16. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 34)
  17. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 80)
  18. 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)
  19. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  20. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) George Howell. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Howell/George_Pierce__Jr./USA.html
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Reese Howell. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Howell/Reese_Maughan/USA.html
  22. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Clark Howell. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Howell/Clark/USA.html
  23. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  24. 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
  25. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  26. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html

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