Surname Howlett - Meaning and Origin

Howlett: What does the surname Howlett mean?

The surname Howlett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily found in England. It is an example of a metronymic surname, which means it was derived from a female personal name, in this case "Huleatt" or "Hulet". These names came from the Old English female personal name "Hildgyth", composed of the elements "hild", meaning battle, and "gyth", which means war. Later, this evolved into the medieval English given name "Houlet" or "Howlat", meaning little owl. Some believe this could indicate wisdom or a nocturnal or solitary nature. Therefore, the surname Howlett essentially denotes "son of Hulet" or "son of the little owl". As with many surnames, there can be different interpretations of its meaning. Today, there are several variations of the Howlett surname including Howlet, Howlatt, Howlat, and Hulatt.

Howlett: Where does the name Howlett come from?

The surname Howlett is of English origin. It is believed to be derived from a diminutive of the old English personal name Hugh, which in its extended form, is 'Hughelot', and then evolved to 'Howlett'. The 'Hugh' root name is Germanic, meaning "heart or spirit". The diminutive ‘lot’ or ‘lett’ is a term of endearment. The surname was largely used in the eastern counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in England.

The first recorded spelling of the family name appeared in the early 13th century. The name was later found to be common among people from English-speaking countries like England, America and Australia. Today, the last name Howlett is predominantly found in England, and to a lesser degree, in Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, according to Forebears' surname database. As with many surnames, the advent of global voyages, colonization and the subsequent globalization has made it possible for the name to be found all over the world. In all these places, numerous notable people carry the Howlett surname, thus adding to its global popularity.

Variations of the surname Howlett

The surname Howlett is said to have originated from England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from a pet name or diminutive of the given name “Hugh.” Its spelling variations often include Houllet, Howlet, Howlott, Houllett, Hovlett, and Howlite. In some instances, for those who weren't literate, the surname was spelled based on how it sounded, which could have led to various spellings like Houlet, Houlett, or Hovell.

Early records of the surname were found in Derbyshire where Anketin Houlet was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Another version, Hewlett, has sometimes been used interchangeably with Howlett. Despite the variations, all these versions typically have similar origins and meanings. Other potentially related surnames could be Hewitt or Hoyt.

Keep in mind that surnames could also be influenced by regional dialects and even translations from other languages to English. It is always recommended to do a comprehensive genealogical research to trace the exact ancestry and variations of a last name. I hope the information provided gives you a basic understanding of the Howlett surname and its potential variations.

Famous people with the name Howlett

• William Howlett: English cricketer who played 16 Test matches between 1924 and 1933.
• Ranulph Howlett: former Chief Adviser on Drugs Education to the Education Department in the United Kingdom.
• Anthony Howlett: British Army Officer who fought in the Falklands War.
• Richard Howlett: Australian footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Bill Howlett: Australian historian who wrote the book ‘The Victorian Temper: An Historical and Social Survey’.
• Kenneth Howlett: British actor who has appeared in various films and TV series such as The Bill, EastEnders and Sherlock.
• Brian Howlett: New Zealand cyclist who represented his country in the United Kingdom at the 1948 Olympic Games.
• Alan Howlett: English footballer who played in the Football League for clubs like Burnley and Port Vale.
• Steve Howlett: English footballer who played professionally for clubs like Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Wimbledon.
• James Howlett: Canadian artist who has had numerous exhibitions of his artworks across the world.

Other surnames

HowleHowley