UK surname
Derived from the Middle High German word "hover" meaning a hump or hill, likely referring to someone who lived near a hill.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Hower surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Plumstead, Rowley Regis and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hower is 536 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
536 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hower surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hower surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 183 | #11,166 |
| 1861 | historical | 536 | #4,904 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 425 | #8,429 |
| 1901 | historical | 85 | #24,636 |
| 1911 | historical | 184 | #15,742 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Plumstead, Rowley Regis, London parishes, St Pancras and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plumstead | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hower surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hower, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hower surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hower household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hower is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hower is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hower, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hower is believed to have originated in Germany, where it was initially spelled as "Hauer" or "Hauier." The name is derived from the Old High German word "houwan," which means "to hew" or "to cut." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in professions such as woodcutting or stonecutting.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a compilation of medieval documents from the region of Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. In this document, a man named "Henricus Hauer" is mentioned as a witness in a land transaction.
As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including "Hower," "Hauer," and "Hauwer." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing this surname was Johannes Hower (1516-1580), a German Protestant theologian and reformer. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and authored several influential theological works.
Another historical figure with the surname Hower was Johann Hauer (1625-1690), a German baroque composer and organist. He served as the organist at the Frauenkirche in Dresden and composed numerous works for organ and other instruments.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various records from the United States, indicating that individuals with this surname had emigrated from Germany to the American colonies. One such example is John Hower (1740-1810), a Revolutionary War soldier who fought in the Battle of Monmouth.
During the 19th century, the name was found in various regions of Europe and North America. One notable figure was Wilhelm Hauer (1881-1962), a German Indologist and scholar of Hindu and Buddhist studies. He made significant contributions to the study of Eastern religions and philosophies.
Another individual with the surname Hower was Walter Hower (1892-1981), an American artist and illustrator known for his works depicting the American West and Native American cultures.
Throughout its history, the surname Hower has maintained its connection to its German origins and the occupations associated with cutting or hewing materials. While the name has undergone various spelling variations over time, its core meaning has remained relatively consistent.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hower surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 12 Howers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.67x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.67x |
| Kent | 9 | 5.88x |
| Somerset | 7 | 9.69x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.74x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.65x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 4.81x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.38x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.32x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 5.04x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.50x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plumstead in Kent leads with 8 Howers recorded in 1881 and an index of 156.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Plumstead | 8 | 156.86x |
| Bromley London | 7 | 70.92x |
| Chillington | 7 | 17500.00x |
| Newington | 4 | 24.13x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 7.96x |
| Peterhead | 2 | 90.91x |
| Stoke | 2 | 194.17x |
| Stratton St Margaret | 2 | 327.87x |
| Willesden | 2 | 47.28x |
| Cannock | 1 | 37.88x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 9.44x |
| Egerton | 1 | 769.23x |
| Great Bolton | 1 | 14.18x |
| Madeley | 1 | 263.16x |
| North Meols | 1 | 19.19x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 12.64x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.77x |
| Tynemouth | 1 | 27.93x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hower surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hower surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Hower surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Hower a modern rank of #37,705.
Derived from the Middle High German word "hover" meaning a hump or hill, likely referring to someone who lived near a hill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hower bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.