Surname Howarth - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Ancestral Journey of 'Howarth' through iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Discovery

Embarking on a personal journey through time, I opted to undertake a DNA test with iGENEA, hoping to gain deeper insights into my family name, 'Howarth'. The accuracy and broad scope of the test findings, that encompassed a comprehensive mix of DNA-variants and referenced an exhaustive database, enhanced my understanding of my ancient lineage and the name's Anglo-Saxon origins.

D. Howarth

Howarth: What does the surname Howarth mean?

The surname Howarth is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place-name in West Yorkshire, namely, Howarth. It is a relatively common surname in Northern England, particularly prevalent in Lancashire. The name Howarth is a composition of two old English words, 'hoh' and 'weard'. 'Hoh' is translated to mean a spur of land or a ridge and 'weard' indicates a guard or a watchman. They both together can be roughly translated to mean 'guardian of the ridge'. Therefore, it is likely that the name was originally bestowed upon a person who lived on or near a ridge or someone who was assigned to guard a ridge. Like many other surnames from old English, Howarth is a topographic name, associated with a prominent physical feature of a landscape. Over time, these surnames became hereditary and have been passed down through generations.

Howarth: Where does the name Howarth come from?

The surname Howarth is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in England. It is a locational surname derived from a place called 'Howard,' found in West Yorkshire. The term 'Howard' is derived from the old English "hoh", meaning "ridge," and "weard", meaning "watch or guard" — hence, "warden of the ridge."

The surname Howarth can be found with different spellings such as Howard, Howerd, Howarth, Heward, Huard, Hughward, and many more, showing its wide dispersion and adoption across different regions.

Today, the surname is most common in England, particularly in the Northern regions around Yorkshire and Lancashire. It can also be found spread out in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to migration. Additionally, due to British colonial history, the surname may also be present albeit in smaller numbers in countries like South Africa and India.

Variations of the surname Howarth

The surname Howarth has several alternative spellings, variants and related surnames. This English surname can be spelled as Howarth, Haworth or Hayworth which are quite common, and less frequently as Heaword, Haward or Hoarwood.

The surname Howarth is of locational origin, specifically from the village of Haworth in West Yorkshire, England. Therefore, it's possible that people with the surname Haworth, which bears a geographical link to Howarth, might share the same origin.

Additionally, the surname Howarth could potentially morph over time into other names, depending on regional dialects and accents, literacy levels, and migration patterns. By examining the etymology and origin, one could discover that the root elements of the word – "hoh" meaning a hill, ridge, or spur, and "worth" meaning an enclosed settlement – are shared with many other English surnames.

Therefore, it's plausible that surnames like Horwood, Harwood, Heywood, and even Hayward could be indirectly related to Howarth, considering the shared root words and geographical origins of these surnames. Some other lesser-known variants of the surname Howarth might also include Howerth, Heward, and Haward.

Famous people with the name Howarth

• Sally Howarth: Sally is an actor and comedian best known for her roles in Austin Powers and The Bill.
• Paul Howarth: Paul is an English actor who has appeared in several hit television series, including Coronation Street, Doctor Who, and Shameless.
• Paul Howarth: Paul is a professional snooker player from England who has won several titles throughout his career, including multiple tournaments on the professional tour.
• Stuart Howarth: Stuart is a British actor who has appeared on stage, television, and film. He is best known for his roles in films such as Total Recall and Orlando.
• Chris Howarth: Chris is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the Super League for the Hull FC during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• Jack Howarth: Jack is an English actor who is best known for playing Alfie Moon in EastEnders and soap opera Emmerdale.
• John Howarth: John is an English actor and comedian best known for his roles in British sitcoms such as Absolutely Fabulous, My Hero, and Common As Muck.
• William Howarth: William Howarth, known professionally as Will Mellor, is an English actor and comedian, best known for his roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Hollyoaks.
• Alfred Howarth: Alfred Howarth was an English writer, best known for his novels House on the Beach and Seersall: A Novel of Devonshire Folk and Feudal Fevers.
• Adam Howarth: Adam Howarth is a British voice actor best known for voicing characters in video games such as The Last of Us and Doom (2016).

Other surnames

Howard