How Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

How Name Meaning: A variant spelling of 'Howe'.Topographic for someone who lived by a small hill.Also a variant of 'Hugh',meaning "Son of Hugh". Hugh is a German name often meaning heart/mind after St Hugh.

The surname dates back to the 12th century,with the first recorded spelling 'William De Ho',dated 1121.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

How Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the How family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 211
Female Servant 90
Independent 70
Male Servant 50
Farmer 45
Labourer 39
Shoe Maker 28
Carpenter 19
Tailor 15
Ag Labourer 15
Dress Maker 12
Blacksmith 12
Ag Lab 11
Gardener 8
Butcher 8
Coal Miner 7
Pauper 6
Servant 6
Apprentice 6
Publican 6
Laundress 6
Baker 5
Watch Maker 5
Cabinet Maker 5
Mason 5

How Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Howe 75% 78,383
2 How 100% 16,212
3 Haw 67% 8,061
4 Howie 60% 1,956
5 Hawe 50% 1,552
6 Hew 67% 538
7 Hewe 50% 122

Did you know?

The surname How is the 2nd most popular variant of Howe.

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