HOWELLS
Howells
Origin and Meaning: Howells is a Welsh surname of patronymic origin, derived from the personal name "Hywel" or "Howell." The name "Hywel" itself is of Old Welsh origin and means "eminent" or "prominent."
Distribution and History: The surname Howells is most commonly found in Wales and is an indication of Welsh heritage. It can also be found among the Welsh diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Howells family has a long history in Wales, with records dating back to medieval times. They have been associated with various regions in Wales, including Glamorgan, where they were a notable family during the Middle Ages.
Notable Individuals:
- William Dean Howells (1837-1920): An American novelist and literary critic known for his realistic portrayals of American life.
- Rhys Howells: A Welsh actor known for his roles in Welsh-language films and television series.
- Gareth Howells: A Welsh rugby player who represented Wales internationally.
- E. Tegla Davies-Howells: A prominent Welsh female entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Coat of Arms: The Howells family has a coat of arms that reflects their Welsh heritage, typically featuring elements such as a dragon, a symbol associated with Wales, and colors like green and white, which are common in Welsh heraldry.
Variants: Variants of the surname Howells include Howell, Howel, and Howill.
Overall, the surname Howells is a proud symbol of Welsh heritage and history, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions to various fields over the centuries.
There are approximately 17,433 people named Howells in the UK. That makes it the 506th most common surname in Britain. Around 268 in a million people in Britain are named Howells.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Wales
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Welsh
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- David
- Gareth
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.