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.

Discover how your How ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

How Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the How family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 266
General Labourer 32
Agricultural Labourer 26
Living On Own Means 23
Labourer 23
Dress Maker 19
Domestic Servant 14
Farmer 14
Living On Her Own Means 11
General Servant 11
Farm Labourer 9
Straw Hat Sewer 9
Gardener 9
Carpenter 9
Clerk 9
Butcher 7
Shoe Maker 7
Farm Servant 7
General Servant Domestic 6
Laundress 6
Brewer 6
Assistant 6
Coal Miner 6
Draper 6
Dressmaker 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.

Search for the How family