Surname Howan - Meaning and Origin
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Howan: What does the surname Howan mean?
The last name Howan is of Chinese origin and it is a variant of the Chinese surname Hou. It is an ancient family name that can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, which ruled from the 11th century to the 3rd century BCE. This surname is traditionally associated with the yuan (lit. primal) branch of the Hua clan, which constituted part of the ruling Zhou Dynasty ruling class.
The meaning of the surname Howan is often thought to be derived from the Chinese word ‘hou’ or ‘huan’ which mean ‘stork’. This could be due to the belief that the stork was a symbol of filial piety in ancient China, or because the first ruler of the state of Lu, Lou Fu Xing, was a former member of the Hua clan and had storks as his totem.
Because of its ancient roots, the surname of Howan is commonly associated with Chinese traditions and culture. It is thought to bring good luck to the people who bear it and can also be thought of as a way to honor one’s ancestors and clan. As a result, many people give their children names with the surname Howan in order to pass down this tradition and connection to their ancestors and heritage.
As one of the most common Chinese surnames, Howan is often taken for granted, yet its deep history and meaning is a reminder of the shared cultural influence of the Chinese people across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHowan: Where does the name Howan come from?
The last name Howan is most common today in China and Hong Kong. This is because Howan is a romanized spelling of the Chinese surname HUANG, which is one of the most common Chinese surnames. According to statistics, it is the seventh most common surname in Mainland China. The character HUANG is made up of two components meaning "yellow" and "surname" respectively. Thus, Howan is believed to have originated from the Yellow Emperor (the legendary Chinese ancestor) who ruled in the 3rd millennium BC.
Outside of China, the Howan surname is also common in other East Asian countries, particularly those with large Chinese populations. It can be seen in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Macau, for example. Additionally, the Howan surname has spread to various parts of the world due to immigration. It can be found in the US, UK, Canada, and Australasia, for instance.
In conclusion, the Howan surname is a widely dispersed surname across much of the world, particularly East Asia and Chinese diaspora communities.
Variations of the surname Howan
The surname Howan is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and is of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from the personal name Hewan, which in Old English meant “horseman” or “warrior”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of Howan can be:
Houan
This is the most common spelling variant of Howan. It is the most common variant found in Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom.
Howen
This is another variant of Howan, found mainly in England.
Houwen
This variant is primarily associated with English-speaking areas.
Houen
This variant is found in both England and Scotland, and is especially common in northern areas.
Houon
This variant is most often used by Scottish families, particularly those of Highland origin.
Hawen
This variant is found throughout Great Britain, but is most often found in England and Wales.
Hawan
This is a rare variant of Howan, found mainly in Scotland and northern England.
Hawn
This variant is found mainly in Scotland, especially in rural areas.
Hoen
This variant is found primarily in southern England.
Hoin
This is the most obscure variant of Howan, found mainly in English-speaking areas.
The surnames derived from Howan can include:
Howan, Houan, Howen, Houwen, Houen, Houon, Hawen, Hawan, Hawn, Hoen and Hoin. These surnames are all derived from the personal name Hewan, which in Old English meant “horseman” or “warrior”.
Famous people with the name Howan
- Siu-Tang Howan: Taiwanese singer
- Paul Howan: Soccer player from New Zealand
- Samaire Howan: Entrepreneur and actress from the US
- Cicil Howan: Poet and photographer from India
- Soon-Tek Howan: South Korean actor and stage director
- Victor Howan: Paralympic athlete from Australia
- Jessica Howan: Actor from the United Kingdom
- Robert Howan: Cricket player from South Africa
- Ben Howan: Opera singer from Australia
- Jessica Howan: Model from South Africa