Surname Howeldt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Howeldt: What does the surname Howeldt mean?
The last name Howeldt is of German origin and is an altered spelling of the more common surname "Hoeldtke" or "Hoelter." The surname was most likely derived from an occupational name, meaning a person who cultivated hops for beer brewing. In the Middle Ages, hops were a major crop in German farming. This occupational name is derived from the Low German word "höltl,” meaning “hop-grower” or “hops-man.”
The first known record of the Howeldt surname is from circa 1450, when a knockmaker named John von Howeltskaw was mentioned in records from Wismar, Germany. The Howeldt surname can also be found in early records from Brandenburg, a historical region of Germany. It can also be linked to the German state of Mecklenburg, in the city of Greifswald. Through the centuries, the spelling of the name has shifted and evolved to Beste, Bolt, Boelter, Böttcher, and eventually Howeldt.
The surname Howeldt is still relatively rare, even in Germany. Today, Howeldt families can be found throughout Germany and in some parts of the United States, primarily in states with large German immigrant populations. As a marker of Germany's brewing history, the surname Howeldt symbolizes the resourcefulness of individuals over the centuries, for adapting to their environment and putting their skill sets to use for the benefit of their families and communities.
Order DNA origin analysisHoweldt: Where does the name Howeldt come from?
The last name Howeldt is commonly found in the United States, especially in the Midwest and rural areas. According to the United States Census of 2000, there were 3,302 individuals with the last name Howeldt, with the highest concentration of the family name found in Kentucky. This is not necessarily surprising, since Kentucky is known to be one of the states to hold onto traditional names.
The name has also gained prevalence in parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. As of 2020, the name Howeldt was found in the highest concentrations in the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Most Howeldts originate from Germany and the Netherlands. Migrations occurred in the mid-1600s from these countries to America, which explains why all states with the highest concentrations of Howeldt are in the Midwest. Descendants of the Howeldt family are most likely to be German-Americans.
Most Howeldts today are estimated to be white, non-Hispanic, and likely to live in states with higher concentrations, like Kentucky and Ohio. Plenty of Howeldts today can trace back to two of the earliest settlers to Pennsylvania, Johannes Howelts in 1683, and Stephanus Howeldt in 1687.
Today, Howeldt is still relatively uncommon but still shows up around the United States. Based on the 2000 census, this family name is expected to continue to spread throughout the United States and potentially elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Howeldt
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Howeldt are:
Howel: This is a variant spelling of Howeldt, most commonly found in Scotland, and is believed to be either a variation of the Norse route of Holld, or an Anglicized version of the Gaelic form of MacGaolla(o).
Huld: This is a variant spelling of Howeldt, and is of Old Norse origin. In Scandinavia it is also spelled Huldt, Huldst, Huld.
Hould: This is another variation of Howeldt, with Dutch-Flemish background and which is assumed to derive from a combination of 'houd' meaning head, and 'hilt' meaning battle.
Hoald: This is a combination of Howeldt and Hoald, which is a variant of the German-based surnames ‘Holtz’ or ‘Holz’ and is derived from the Old German ‘holt’, meaning a forested area, and 'wald', meaning a threshhold.
Haald: This is another variation of Howeldt, derived from the German word "Halde." This term originally denoted an area of particularly high-grade land, and may refer to a topographical feature.
Holldt: This is an old spelling of Howeldt that derives from the Old Norse "Holld" or Holldt. This is similar to the Gaelic form 'MacGaolla' and is probably an Anglicized version of it.
Höldt: This is also an old spelling of Howeldt, with a Swedish-Scandinavian background, derived from 'höld', the Old Norse term for an elevated or raised place suitable for defence.
Finally, Howeld is another spelling of the surname Howeldt, and is a derivation of the Old Norse name 'Høldt' which is derived from 'Høld' meaning a settlement or a high place. In some cases it has also been anglicised to Hould, Houlde or Houlden.
Famous people with the name Howeldt
- Brad Howaldt: American musician from Wisconsin who is best known for his independent rock music.
- Joan Howaldt: American visual artist, painter, sculptor, printmaker, and installation artist who works in a variety of media.
- Harvey Howaldt: American professional golfer who has two PGA Tour wins.
- Megan Howaldt: American figure skater who was the 2002 national silver medalist.
- Gene Howaldt: American chef, baker, and restaurateur from Oklahoma who is a well-known expert in southern cuisine.
- Paul Howaldt: American astronomer who was the director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology from 1964 to 1968.
- Rich Howaldt: American comedian and actor who has appeared on numerous TV shows and films.
- Graham Howaldt: British actor best known for his role in the historical drama series Downton Abbey.
- John Howaldt: American politician and former mayor of the City of Cleveland, Ohio.
- David Howaldt: American architect and urban designer who is renowned for his innovative designs.