NameCensus.

UK surname

Howles

An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Howels or Owles.

In the 1881 census there were 228 people recorded with the Howles surname, ranking it #11,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 375, ranked #12,457, down from #11,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Manchester and Wednesbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Howles is 400 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.5%.

1881 census count

228

Ranked #11,826

Modern count

375

2016, ranked #12,457

Peak year

2009

400 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Howles had 228 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 375 in 2016, ranked #12,457.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 368 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Howles surname distribution map

The map shows where the Howles surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Howles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Howles over time

The 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 201 #10,364
1861 historical 365 #7,009
1881 historical 228 #11,826
1891 historical 357 #9,678
1901 historical 320 #11,142
1911 historical 368 #9,886
1997 modern 379 #11,447
1998 modern 382 #11,779
1999 modern 388 #11,696
2000 modern 391 #11,591
2001 modern 375 #11,774
2002 modern 389 #11,667
2003 modern 384 #11,589
2004 modern 384 #11,625
2005 modern 349 #12,390
2006 modern 363 #12,123
2007 modern 377 #11,900
2008 modern 378 #11,993
2009 modern 400 #11,729
2010 modern 399 #12,018
2011 modern 392 #12,038
2012 modern 363 #12,592
2013 modern 369 #12,655
2014 modern 379 #12,483
2015 modern 370 #12,596
2016 modern 375 #12,457

Geography

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Where Howles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Manchester, Wednesbury, Oldswinford and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre Forest. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Wednesbury Staffordshire
4 Oldswinford Worcestershire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre Forest 009 Wyre Forest
2 Wyre Forest 011 Wyre Forest
3 Wyre Forest 006 Wyre Forest
4 Wyre Forest 002 Wyre Forest
5 Wyre Forest 004 Wyre Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Howles

These lists show first names that appear often with the Howles surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Howles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Howles, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Howles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Howles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Howles is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Howles is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Howles falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Howles is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Howles, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Howles

The surname HOWLES has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hol" and "leah," meaning a hollow or depression in the land. This suggests that the name may have been originally associated with someone who lived near or in a valley or hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HOWLES surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "de Hollee." This version of the name likely refers to someone from a place called Hollee or Holleigh, which itself may have been derived from the Old English words mentioned earlier.

In the 14th century, the HOWLES surname appears in various forms, such as "Holley," "Hollye," and "Holleigh," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation at the time. One notable example is Sir John Holleye, a knight from Nottinghamshire who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1327.

During the 15th century, the surname evolved into its more modern spelling of "HOWLES." This can be seen in the records of the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1524, which list a Robert HOWLES from Gloucestershire. Another early example is John HOWLES, a merchant from London who was mentioned in the City of London Apprentice Records in 1537.

In the 16th century, the HOWLES surname spread across various parts of England, with records showing families in counties like Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this time was William HOWLES, a wealthy landowner from Oxfordshire who was born in 1542 and died in 1616.

As the centuries progressed, the HOWLES surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with several individuals making their mark in various fields. For instance, Edward HOWLES (1677-1748) was a renowned architect who worked on several notable buildings in London, while Thomas HOWLES (1796-1872) was a respected author and poet from Gloucestershire.

Other notable individuals with the HOWLES surname include John HOWLES (1823-1901), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Warwickshire, and Sir William HOWLES (1871-1936), a prominent politician and member of parliament from Oxfordshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Howles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Howles surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 56 Howles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.12x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 56 2.12x
Worcestershire 31 10.67x
Cheshire 24 4.89x
Staffordshire 23 3.06x
Middlesex 22 0.99x
Warwickshire 22 3.92x
Shropshire 12 6.25x
Yorkshire 9 0.41x
Monmouthshire 7 4.35x
Glamorgan 3 0.77x
Gloucestershire 3 0.69x
Morayshire 3 8.68x
Hampshire 2 0.44x
Herefordshire 2 2.19x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.67x
Oxfordshire 2 1.46x
Somerset 2 0.56x
Cumberland 1 0.52x
Montgomeryshire 1 1.96x
Northamptonshire 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newton in Lancashire leads with 18 Howles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 88.50x.

Place Total Index
Newton 18 88.50x
Bredbury 17 598.59x
Birmingham 15 8.02x
Droylsden 12 139.37x
Stourbridge 12 160.64x
Pedmore 10 2631.58x
Bromley London 9 18.39x
Wednesbury 9 47.97x
Bedwellty 7 24.66x
Manchester 7 5.90x
Newport 7 301.72x
Stockport 6 23.74x
Chadderton 5 38.76x
Clent 5 657.89x
Dewsbury 5 22.12x
Harborne 5 20.78x
Kingswinford 5 18.34x
Aston 4 2.59x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 20.13x
Middleton In Oldham 4 50.57x
Preston 4 5.66x
St Luke London 4 11.21x
Elgin 3 44.64x
Priors Marston 3 681.82x
Ashleworth 2 526.32x
Chinnor 2 210.53x
Edgmond 2 94.79x
Failsworth 2 33.11x
Hagley 2 212.77x
Islington London 2 0.93x
Mansfield Woodhouse 2 100.50x
Paddington London 2 2.45x
Rudry 2 689.66x
Sedgley 2 7.17x
Southampton St Mary 2 6.98x
St George Hanover Square 2 5.10x
Wellington 2 18.52x
Aberavon 1 28.09x
Ercall Magna 1 72.46x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 1 12.53x
Hoyland Nether 1 18.48x
Hyde 1 6.90x
Kilsby 1 217.39x
Lye 1 20.70x
Meifod 1 82.64x
Millom 1 17.04x
Normanton 1 15.11x
Ross 1 27.55x
Sculcoates 1 2.86x
Sellack 1 384.62x
Shoreditch London 1 1.04x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 53.19x
St Marylebone London 1 0.84x
Stafford St Mary 1 9.41x
Street 1 51.55x
Suckley 1 208.33x
Tipton 1 4.35x
Walcot 1 5.24x
Worsbrough 1 15.48x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Howles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 14
Mary 14
Sarah 11
Ann 5
Eliza 5
Hannah 5
Annie 4
Frances 4
Jane 4
Nancy 4
Emily 3
Emma 3
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Clara 2
Delilah 2
Martha 2
Alice 1
Amanda 1
Amy 1
Charlott 1
Christiana 1
Constance 1
Dorcas 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emilia 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Georgiana 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Infant 1
Julia 1
Lavina 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Omena 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Howles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Howles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Howles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 228 people were recorded with the Howles surname. That placed it at #11,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Howles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 375 in 2016. That gives Howles a modern rank of #12,457.

What does the Howles surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Howels or Owles.

What does the Howles map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Howles bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.