Howitt
A locational surname originating from places named Howitt in England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Howitt. That puts it at #41,579 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Howitt surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#41,579
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
523
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 523 bearers of the surname Howitt in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 41579th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Howitt, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Black (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Howitt
The surname HOWITT is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name "How" or "Howe," which was a diminutive form of the name "Hugh." The name dates back to the 12th century and was particularly prevalent in the Midlands region of England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname HOWITT can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire in 1327, where a Robert Howitt is mentioned. Additionally, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Staffordshire in 1275, referring to a Richard Howyt.
The HOWITT surname has its roots in various place names across England, such as Howitt in Derbyshire and Howitt Hill in Nottinghamshire. These place names likely derived from the Old English words "hoh" meaning "heel" or "ridge," and "witu" meaning "wood" or "forest."
In the 16th century, the HOWITT surname appeared in various historical records, including the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, where a William Howitt was recorded in 1581.
Notable individuals with the surname HOWITT throughout history include:
1. William Howitt (1792-1879), an English author, poet, and historian known for his works on rural life and folklore.
2. Mary Howitt (1799-1888), an English author and poet, and the wife of William Howitt. She was known for her poetry and children's literature.
3. Samuel Howitt (1765-1822), an English artist and engraver, renowned for his landscapes and illustrations of scientific subjects.
4. Henry Howitt (1830-1892), an English geologist and explorer, who made significant contributions to the study of Australian geology and geography.
5. Godfrey Howitt (1800-1873), an English missionary and author, who spent several years working in Australia and wrote about his experiences with the indigenous population.
The HOWITT surname has been carried by families across various regions of England, with concentrations in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire. While the name has undergone slight variations in spelling over time, such as Howyt and Howett, its essential form and meaning have remained consistent throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Howitt
Among Census respondents with the surname Howitt, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Black (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Howitt bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Howitt surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Black or African American1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
- Two or more races1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Howitt surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #36,860 | #41,579 | -12.8% |
| Count | 571 | 523 | -8.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.18 | -14.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Howitt bearers went from 571 to 523 (-8.4% change). The surname moved down 4,719 positions in the national ranking, going from #36,860 to #41,579.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Howitt
FAQ
Howitt surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Howitt?
The surname Howitt holds position #41,579 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Howitt surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Howitt, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Black (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.