Surname Howold - Meaning and Origin
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Howold: What does the surname Howold mean?
The last name Howold is thought to be from the Old Norse words “Haugr” meaning “mound” and “hollr” meaning “hollow.” Accordingly, it is believed to have originally been a habitational name for someone who lived on a mound or near a hollow.
In addition, the name may have been formed from a personal name such as Haldr, Haldur, and/or Huld, all of which have Old Norse roots and mean “brave” or “hidden.” This suggests that the surname was originally derived from a nickname given to an ancestor with those characteristics.
The original spelling of the name may have been “Houwald,” which is derived from the Middle English spelling “Howallt,” with the terminal “t” being eventually dropped. In the 1200s, this spelling became standardized as “Howald.”
From the 1500s to modern day, the spelling has seen many variations from “Howald” to “Howeld” to “Howoll” and “Howold.” Most of these variations are found in the United Kingdom, especially in Cornwall, Somerset, Devon, Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Today, the surname Howold is used by many different families, and is typically assumed to be an English name rather than one of Old Norse origin.
Order DNA origin analysisHowold: Where does the name Howold come from?
The surname Howold is found today primarily in the United Kingdom, where it has a strong historical presence. The spelling variations of this name have been reported in records as early as the twelfth century, and the name is most likely of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is also present in various locations around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
The etymology of the surname Howold is not known with certainty, though it has been suggested to have derived from the Old English hou or hoo, meaning a hill, as in a hilltop settlement or a distinctive landmark. Others have suggested that it could have stemmed from the Middle English word howold, meaning gullible or easily deceived.
In the United Kingdom, Howold is especially common in older, more rural counties, particularly Norfolk and Suffolk. In the United States, it is recorded most frequently in the states of New York and Pennsylvania.
Despite its long history, Howold is not a particularly widespread surname. According to World Names PublicProfiler, it is only the 3,022nd most popular surname in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, it still serves as a reminder of the longevity and diversity of the English language and the unique family histories of its bearers.
Variations of the surname Howold
The surname Howold is of English origin, and is derived from the Old English personal name Hwulf or Wulf which means wolf. There are several variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Howald, Howould, Houlad, Howall, Hould, Howells, Howill, Howel, Howalt, Howlet, Howlett, Howlott, Howel, Howalt, Howalte, Howoll, Howlett, Howland, Howlands and Howlin.
The surname Howold is most notably found in England, and records of the surname date back to at least the 16th century in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Staffordshire, and Shropshire. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Howold is found in Essex in 1553, and is spelt "Howoll". Also found in 1553 is the will of Peter Howoll in Suffolk, who died in that year.
The name can also be found in Germany and The Netherlands. Records from these countries date back to at least the 16th century, and documents in Old German often spell the name as either Huwalt or Huolt.
The surname Howold is valid in Scotland, as well as other countries of the United Kingdom. It is a variant of Howell, which was popularized by Jack Howell, who served as an early settler of Jamestown in Virginia in the seventeenth century. His descendants still bear the name.
In conclusion, the surnames Howold, Howald, Howould, Houlad, Howall, Hould, Howells, Howill, Howel, Howalt, Howlet, Howlett, Howlott, Howel, Howalt, Howalte, Howoll, Howlett, Howland, Howlands and Howlin all have their origin in the Old English personal name Hwulf or Wulf, which means wolf. They can be found in England, Germany, The Netherlands, and other parts of the United Kingdom, and have been around since at least the 16th century.
Famous people with the name Howold
- John Howold: John Howold is a professional lacrosse player from Canada. He currently plays for the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
- Ann Howold: Ann Howold is a Canadian Olympic figure skater. She competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics, where she won a silver and a bronze medal, respectively.
- William Howold: William Howold is an American actor known for his roles in The Expendables and Descent. He's also appeared in several TV shows, such as the Fox comedy New Girl.
- Tom Howold: Tom Howold is a British musician, songwriter and record producer. He's best known for his work with music groups like Underworld, New Order and The Chemical Brothers.
- Maria Howold: Maria Howold is an American actress, best known for her work on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
- Jack Howold: Jack Howold is an American basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Florida and was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the third round of the 2020 NBA draft.
- James Howold: James Howold is a British actor. He's best known for his role in the TV series Merlin, where he played the part of King Uther Pendragon.