Surname Howton - Meaning and Origin
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Howton: What does the surname Howton mean?
The last name Howton is an English topographical name for a person living on a hill, derived from the Old English word hoh, meaning a ‘spur of land’ or ‘ridge of a hill’. It is believed to have originated in the north of England, presumably in the ancient kingdom of Northumbria.
In its earliest recorded form, Howton first appeared in the records of the Aberlais estate in the year 1248, when mention was made of the manor of “Howton and Galliesel”.The name is still prevalent in parts of England, especially in the north and the Midlands, and is the surname of families with a long history in these areas.
The meaning later broadened to embrace all those who lived on hillsides, so that the name could be seen to denote a namesakes residence as much as a location.
As was often the case with many topographical surnames, this one was later adopted to denote places where one had been born or had an association.
The spelling of Howton is still common but is also seen in a variety of alternative spellings, such as Houghton, Hougtoun,UgtoonandHowtun. These spellings are largely confined to English records and do not reflect the spelling of the original name.
Order DNA origin analysisHowton: Where does the name Howton come from?
The last name Howton is originally of English origin. It is believed to be a locational surname as it is derived from the Olde English words, 'hoh' and 'dun' which together mean ‘a hill’.
Today, the surname Howton is particularly common in the United States. It is the 819th most common name in the United States and is especially prevalent in the southeastern states including Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi. In the United States, Howton is particularly common in Texas, where it is the 465th most common surname.
In the United Kingdom, the name Howton is far less common. It is the 16,827th most commonly used name in Great Britain, with its highest concentration of uses in Hertfordshire. The last name Howton is also found in considerable numbers in Australia, where it is the 14,200th most common surname.
Overall, the last name Howton is particularly common in the United States, followed by Australia and the United Kingdom. Though less common, Howton is also found in other parts of the world, such as countries in Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Howton
The surname Howton has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Howton, with Howoton and Howtun being the two most popular variants. Other related spellings of the same origin include: Howetun, Houghten, Hawten, Houton, Howantin, and Huton.
The surname Howton has a variety of origins, including Old French, German, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon sources. In Old French, the name derives from houd, which means "oak tree" or "wood" and suggests a place named after an oak tree or woods. In German, it is derived from hald, meaning "threshold" or "riser," and suggests a place near a threshold. In Scandinavian, it is thought to stem from haugr, which means a "hillock, mound, or knoll" and suggests a place near a hill. Lastly, the Anglo-Saxon origin derives from hāh, meaning "hill," and thus suggests a place near a hill.
The surname Howton can also take on altered spellings and surnames, such as Horton, Howorth, and Holtone. The surnames of Howorth and Holtone are both derived from the Old English word hald, which refers to a "threshold" or "riser." Lastly, the surname Horton is derived from the Old English word hyrne, meaning "horn" or "corner" and suggesting a place near a horn-shaped feature or corner.
Overall, the surname Howton has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations come from Old French, German, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon roots and allude to various possible places of origin near an oak tree, woods, threshold, hillock, mound, knoll, hill, horn, or corner.
Famous people with the name Howton
- Rich Howton: American football player who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1965 NFL Draft.
- Marty Howton: American basketball player who played for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
- Earle Howton: American film actor who appeared in a number of Westerns in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Jack Howton: American baseball player who played in the Major Leagues in 1945 and 1947-48 for the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Browns.
- Ashley Howton: sister of Rich Howton, she was an All-America basketball player at Louisiana Tech University in 1978.
- Randy Howton: former college baseball player, he was an infielder at the University of Texas from 1975 to 1979.
- Mike Howton: former college football player, he was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State University from 1978 to 1979.
- Justin Howton: Australian professional footballer who currently plays for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.
- John Howton: former professional basketball player, he played in the NBA from 1958 to 1959 for the Detroit Pistons.
- Larry Howton: American wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.