The Howard Family History

What Does the Howard Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The English surname Howard has its roots in the Old Germanic name ‘hugihard,’ which denotes a person of considerable bravery and strength of character. An alternative Germanic variant is ‘howart,’ which translates to high chief or chief warden. Additionally, the term ‘hof-ward’ signifies the guardian of a hall, akin to a noble watchman. Variations of the surname include Heward, Huard, Haward, Hayward, and Howie. In England, individuals bearing the Howard name predominantly reside in and around London, as well as in the counties of Yorkshire and Cheshire. Scotland also has a number of counties in its southern region where the Howard surname is present. In the United States, the states with the largest concentrations of individuals with the Howard surname include Alabama, Georgia, Texas, California, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Notable figures sharing this surname encompass Bryce Dallas Howard (actress), Dwight Howard (professional basketball player), Curly Howard (actor and comedian), Oliver O. Howard (Union general during the Civil War), Terrence Howard (actor), Leslie Howard (English actor), Charles Howard (19th-century photographer), George E. Howard (18th-century Irish literary figure), and Frank Howard (19th-century artist).