HOWIE
Howie
Howie is a British surname of Scottish origin. The name is a derivative of the given name Hugh, which means "heart, mind, spirit".
History and Origin
The surname Howie is believed to have originated from Scotland, particularly in the Lowlands. It is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name "MacHughe", which means "son of Hugh". The name was likely adopted to distinguish one's family or lineage, based on the patriarch or ancestor named Hugh.
Distribution and Popularity
The surname Howie is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with most occurrences found in Scotland, particularly in areas such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. It is also found in Northern Ireland, Canada, the United States, and Australia, where Scottish immigrants settled and passed down the surname through generations.
Notable Individuals
- James Howie (1585–1669): A Scottish minister and writer of theological works.
- John Howie (1735–1793): A Scottish historian and author of "The Scots Worthies", a biographical account of Scottish Covenanters.
- Anna Howie (born 1982): A British athlete who specializes in cycling.
Variants
Variants of the Howie surname include Howey, Howe, and MacHowie. Over time, the spelling of the surname may have evolved based on regional dialects and individual family preferences.
References
- Reaney, P. H. and Wilson, R. M. (2006). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. New York Public Library.
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There are approximately 5,065 people named Howie in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,861st most common surname in Britain. Around 78 in a million people in Britain are named Howie.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Helen
- Janet
- Jean
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.