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
Living On Own Means 35
Dress Maker 14
General Labourer 14
Carpenter 10
Farmer 9
Gardener Domestic 7
Bricklayer 7
Commercial Clerk 6
General Servant Domestic 6
Agricultural Labourer 6
Domestic Servant 6
Solicitor 6
Coachman Domestic 5
Grocer 5
Housemaid Domestic 5
Straw Hat Machinist 5
School 5
Railway Clerk 5
None 4
Butcher 4
Scholar 4
Straw Hat Finisher 4
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 4
Plasterer 4
Coal Miner C Hewer 4

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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