Surname Howdisheld - Meaning and Origin

Howdisheld: What does the surname Howdisheld mean?

The last name Howdisheld is an Anglo-Saxon surname that originated in England. Its literal meaning is derived from the Old English words "hou" and "disheld," which together literally translate to "dweller on the hill." This name likely originated as a moniker for someone who lived on a hill or high spot of land.

One source suggests that the name may come from the town of Hebden or Hepten, which is in West Yorkshire, England and translates to “hilltop village.” Thus, the surname could indicate that the family originated from that particular village.

Another possibility is that the surname could be related to the name Hastings. Hastings is an Old English word meaning “hazte” or “from a hill.” Thus, the family could have taken the name from that particular geographic feature.

The name Howdisheld was most likely used to describe a person who lived on the hilltop or somewhere in a higher location. This surname is still used in England today and is likely a reflection of the family’s early beginnings. The name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Australia and the United States.

Howdisheld: Where does the name Howdisheld come from?

The Howdisheld surname is not particularly common today, but it is still found in certain countries around the world. The most common locations include England, Germany, Sweden, and the United States. In England, it is most commonly found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London. In Germany, it is primarily found in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia. In Sweden, it is largely concentrated around the Stockholm and Gothenburg regions. In the United States, it is primarily found in states along the East Coast, especially Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

The most common spelling variations of the Howdisheld surname include Haudeshault, Howdishelt, Howdishalt, Howdisheldt, and Howdisheltz. While the name is traditionally considered to be of Germanic origin, it is unclear precisely where it originated. Some primary sources suggest that it may have first come from the Netherlands or Austria.

The meaning of the Howdisheld surname is largely uncertain. While some sources suggest that it may be derived from the Germanic words "hauen," meaning to hew or cut, and "schalten," meaning to rob or bewitch, others argue that the name has nothing to do with falling trees or witchcraft. Ultimately, no definitive answer has been reached.

Regardless of its origin, the Howdisheld surname remains relatively uncommon today. It is principally found in the countries and regions listed above, particularly around the east coast of the United States.

Variations of the surname Howdisheld

The variant spellings and surnames of Howdisheld are Houdissel, Houtschelder, Houtschielder, Houdeshel, Hondaeshel, Honddissel, Houdschleder, Hondaescht, Hondissle, Hondishel, Haundishell and Houdissle.

Houdissel is the French variant of the Howdisheld surname. This spelling suggests that the family roots originally lie with the people of Gaul, who settled in the area of France known today as Normandy. The name is derived from the Old French word “houd,” meaning “clarification of muddy water.”

Houtschelder is an alternate spelling of the Howdisheld surname. This variant is of Dutch origin and evolved from the Middle Dutch word “houtsch” meaning “wood forest.” Houtschielder is another Dutch variant that appears with this spelling, as well as Houdeshel and Hondaeshel. All of these spellings would have been used by families living in the Netherlands in the Middle Ages.

Honddissel and Houdschleder are mosaicized spellings of the Howdisheld surname, which could suggest a Jewish origin for the family. Hondissle and Hondishel are also found with this spelling, and all could have been used interchangeably by Jewish families in Germany and other areas of the German-speaking world.

Haundishell is a Scottish-English variant of the Howdisheld surname. This spelling dates back to the Middle Ages, when families of Viking ancestry settled in Scotland. Houdissle is a Dutch-Flemish variation of the same name. Variant spellings of this surname are commonly found in areas of the Low Countries where Dutch and Flemish languages were spoken during the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Howdisheld

• Julia Howdisheld, prominent American business leader and philanthropist.
• Tim Howdisheld, British-American actor, director, and singer-songwriter.
• Dave Howdisheld, American announcer and long-time sports broadcaster.
• Cora Howdisheld, veteran British politician.
• John Howdisheld, Emmy Award-winning television producer and director.
• Rebecca Howdisheld, successful entrepreneur and founder of the Howdisheld Group of Companies.
• David Howdisheld, accomplished independent film producer and director.
• Kara Howdisheld, award-winning British journalist and author.
• Lawrence Howdisheld, American lawyer and politician.
• Barry Howdisheld, professional footballer and television presenter from the UK.

Other surnames

HowdishellHowdishelt