Surname Howdischeld - Meaning and Origin
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Howdischeld: What does the surname Howdischeld mean?
The last name Howdischeld is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in the Middle Ages in England. It is derived from two distinct words from the Anglo-Saxon language; the first part being hoh or hough, which meant a hill or mound, and the second part being skeld, a word which referred to a shield or enclosure. Thus, the last name Howdischeld can roughly be translated to mean “shield of the hill”.
Though the exact history or background of this surname is unknown, its etymology likely points to a family or group of individuals who once lived atop or near a hill, and made their home secure through some sort of fortified enclosure or barrier. This formed the basis for their identity as a kin-group and culminated in the distinction of the name Howdischeld as a hereditary surname.
Today, in the modern interpretation, this last name may evoke a sense of enduring strength, stability, and protection, befitting a high and mighty hilltop stronghold. The spiritual symbolism of the Howdischeld name may be that of fortitude in adversity, and determination in the face of difficulty.
In terms of its geographical distribution, the Howdischeld surname is mainly found in England, with the highest concentrations in counties such as Lancashire and Yorkshire, though some instances of this last name have been recorded in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHowdischeld: Where does the name Howdischeld come from?
The surname Howdischeld is quite rare today and is not found in many countries. It does not even rank among the top ten thousand surnames in the United States. The origin of the surname is German and is composed of two words - “How” and “discheld” which mean “renowned” and “leader” respectively, making the overall meaning “renowned leader”.
The surname Howdischeld has limited recorded instances through the records of the US Census Bureau, where the surname was recorded as few as ten times between 1890 and 1940. The records also indicate that the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania with an estimated population of roughly 30. Further research shows that the surname might also be found in the state of Ohio, though with an even smaller population.
Given the limited population of Howdischelds, it is likely that the surname is predominantly found in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Records of the surname abroad have not been found, and it is reasonable to assume that there may no longer be anyone carrying the surname outside of those two states.
Though the surname Howdischeld is scarce, it is certainly not extinct. Many families still hold pride in their unique surname, and it is likely that the surname will live on in those parts of the United States.
Variations of the surname Howdischeld
The surname Howdischeld has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The possibilities include Howdecheld, Howdicheld, Houdischel, Houdekeld, Houdkeld, Huddecheld, Howdicheild, Hudscheld,Hudschelt and Hudkield. The earliest record of the family name can be found in 1086, where Howe The Anglo-Saxon name derives from the Old English personal name Howe, which could have various meanings, including ‘high’ or ‘hill’.
The Howdischeld surname was typically found in the northern regions of England, in counties such as Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Northumberland. Later variants, such as Huddecheld and Houdekeld, can be found in the North Midlands regions of England. Within Ireland, the surname would have most likely originated in Ulster County.
The surname Howdischeld is also linked to other variant English surnames such as Haydick, Hadicke, Hadlock, and Hadloe. Within Scotland, the surname may also have a Border Reiver origin, from the border regions of England and Scotland. Common variants in Scotland include Havdis, Haddish and Hudshaw.
More female variants of the surname can include Howdischelde, Houdechel, and Hudschel. Other variants, such as Howdicheild, are found in the USA, and may have been adopted from immigration, or alternatively may have been an alternate spelling adopted to sound more English.
In summary, the surname Howdischeld has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Examples include Howdischelde, Houdechel, Hudschel, Haydick, Hadicke, Hadlock, Hadloe, Havdis, Haddish, Hudshaw, Howdecheld, Howdicheld, Houdischel, Houdekeld, Houdkeld, Huddecheld, Howdicheild and Hudscheld.
Famous people with the name Howdischeld
- Gerald Ford Howdischeld: American politician and the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977.
- James Howdischeld: American physicist, professor of Physics and Astronomy, and aeronautics at the University of Michigan.
- Martin Howdischeld: Swiss-born American architect and city planner best known for his design of the Washington Monument and the White House.
- Richard Howdischeld: American film director, producer, and screenwriter who directed films such as The Rocketeer and Big Night.
- Sarah Howdischeld: American actress best known for her roles in films such as The Big Chill.
- Liz Howdischeld: American illustrator best known for her work creating mirrors for hot rods, classic cars, and motorcycles.
- Robert Howdischeld: American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the Ford Motor Company.
- Bill Howdischeld: American actor, writer, director, and producer best known for his roles on the NBC series, The West Wing, and ABC series, Night Court.
- Arlene Howdischeld: American opera singer best known for her roles as Mimi in La Boheme, Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Musetta in La Boheme.
- Peter Howdischeld: German politician and former Minister of Defense.