GREENHOW
Greenhow
Greenhow is a British surname of Old English origin, which is derived from a combination of the word grene, meaning green, and hoh, meaning a spur of a hill. The surname is predominantly found in the northern counties of England, with a particular concentration in the region of Yorkshire.
Origins and Meaning
The surname Greenhow likely originated from a location or place with a green hill or spur, indicating that the original bearers of the surname may have lived in or near a place with such geographical features. This practice of adopting surnames based on local landmarks or topography was common in medieval England.
Distribution and Variants
The distribution of the Greenhow surname is primarily concentrated in Yorkshire and surrounding areas, reflecting the historical settlement patterns of the bearers of the name. Variants of the surname include Greenow, Greenhall, and Greenhowe, among others.
Notable Individuals
While no widely recognised figures with the surname Greenhow have achieved fame on a national or international scale, the name may be associated with individuals who have made contributions to their local communities or specific fields of endeavour.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
The surname Greenhow continues to be an integral part of British genealogy and serves as a reminder of the historical and cultural diversity of the British population.
There are approximately 849 people named Greenhow in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,400th most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Greenhow.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Barry
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Paul
- Peter
- Stewart
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Carol
- Christine
- Claire
- Hannah
- Helen
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.