HOWELLS
The surname Howells is a Welsh family name of considerable historical depth. It is a patronymic surname that originated from the personal name Hywel, a name that is recorded in the Anglo‑Saxon Chronicle of 926 AD as belonging to Huwal West Wala cyning – the King of the West Welsh. The name Hywel derives from the Old Welsh elements ho meaning “high” and well meaning “fame”, and is often translated as “eminent” or “prominent”. Consequently, the surname Howells is understood to indicate “descendant of the eminent one”.
The earliest documented instance of the surname dates back to the early 12th century when a Geffrei Hoel is recorded in the “Old English Names Register” around 1100–1130, during the reign of King Henry I. Later records from the 13th and 14th centuries – including a Robert Howeles in the 1210 Curia Regis Rolls of Northamptonshire and a John Houeles in the 1280 Assize Court Rolls of Somerset – further confirm the name’s presence in the British Isles. In 1764, the marriage of Oliver Howells to Alice Powell in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, offers a later example of the surname in a Victorian context.
Throughout the medieval period and into modern times, the Howells family played a role in local government and land ownership. In Wales, the family was historically linked with estates in Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire, and members frequently served in civic duties. In more recent history, Sir William Howells was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario between 1971 and 1979, while a contemporary member of the House of Lords bears the title Lord Howells of St Davids. In 19th‑century Britain, the surname was common in counties such as Wiltshire, Yorkshire, Somersetshire, Cornwall, Kent and London, reflecting migration from the Welsh borders.
The name Howells also diversified into several orthographic variants. Common alternative spellings include Howell, Howel, Howles, Howilles and Howilse, each retaining the same patronymic meaning. Related surnames that share a similar Celtic origin are Howells‑son, Howlson, Howeson, Howison and Hoelson. Some variants arise from the Welsh name Hughes, itself a pet form of the Middle Welsh Hue, further linking the family name to a network of Welsh patronymics.
In contemporary geography, the surname remains most prevalent within the United Kingdom. It is especially common in Wales, but also occurs in the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire in England, as well as in Scotland. Outside the British Isles, it can be found wherever British migration has taken place: the United States (particularly the southern states such as Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Latin American countries. The surname is also recorded in non‑English‑speaking nations including Germany, France, Japan, China, India and Mexico, reflecting the global dispersal of British diaspora communities.
As a distinctly Welsh surname, Howells carries with it a legacy of civic participation, cultural contribution, and a deeply rooted connection to the land and people of Wales. The endurance of the name across centuries showcases the continuity of Welsh identity within the broader tapestry of British and global history.
Typical given names associated with the Howells 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.
How to communicate the surname Howells in...
Braille
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Howells are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Hobnob.
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
Famous people named Howells
- Herbert Howells - Composer, organist and teacher (1892 to 1983)
- Ursula Howells - Actress (1922 to 2005)
- David Howells - Football player
- Rosalind Howells, Baroness Howells of St Davids - Politician
- Chlöe Louise Howells - Singer and singer-songwriter
- Dafydd Howells - Welsh rugby union player
- Kim Howells - Politician
- Adrian Howells - Performance artist (1962 to 2014)
- Jake Howells - Football player
- Geraint Howells - Politician (1925 to 2004)
- Rees Howells - Missionary (1879 to 1950)
- Peter Howells - Cricketer
- Ron Howells - Welsh football player (1927 to 2011)
- Lee Howells - Football player
- Lynn Howells - Welsh rugby union football player and coach
- Bryn Howells - Welsh rugby union and rugby league football player (1911 to 1983)
- Gareth Howells - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.