NameCensus.

UK surname

Howlin

A surname derived from the English word 'howl', potentially referring to an ancestor's loud voice or a location associated with howling wolves.

In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Howlin surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, up from #31,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Bolton and Mole Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Howlin is 180 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 894.4%.

1881 census count

18

Ranked #31,019

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

2015

180 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Howlin had 18 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 35 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Howlin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Howlin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Howlin 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 27 #28,467
1861 historical 35 #29,571
1881 historical 18 #31,019
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 32 #29,838
1997 modern 137 #22,301
1998 modern 142 #22,406
1999 modern 151 #21,740
2000 modern 154 #21,415
2001 modern 152 #21,294
2002 modern 154 #21,531
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 146 #22,202
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 167 #20,447
2007 modern 155 #21,726
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 158 #22,168
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 168 #21,563
2012 modern 166 #21,683
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 178 #21,259
2015 modern 180 #20,997
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Howlins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Bolton, Mole Valley and Plymouth. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 010 Pembrokeshire
2 Bolton 034 Bolton
3 Mole Valley 002 Mole Valley
4 Bolton 002 Bolton
5 Plymouth 022 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Howlin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Howlin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Howlin, 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 Howlin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Howlin 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Howlin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Howlin is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Howlin falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Howlin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Howlin

The surname "Howlin" is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Ó hUallachain," which means "descendant of Uallachain." The name can be traced back to the 11th century in County Sligo, Ireland.

The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where it is mentioned as "Ó hUallachain" in the year 1139. This reference suggests that the name was well-established in the region by that time.

In the 16th century, the name began to appear in various spellings, such as "Howlin," "Houlihan," and "Houlehan," due to the Anglicization of Irish names during the English conquest of Ireland. These variations reflect the difficulty in transliterating the Gaelic spelling into English.

One notable individual with the surname was Reverend Michael Howlin (1679-1756), a Catholic priest and historian from County Kilkenny, Ireland. He is remembered for his work "The Annals of Ireland," which documented events from ancient times to the 17th century.

Another prominent figure was Jeremiah Howlin (1737-1814), an Irish politician and landowner from County Wexford. He served as a member of the Irish Parliament for several years and was known for his advocacy of Catholic rights during a time of religious tensions.

In the 19th century, the name gained recognition through the work of novelist and playwright William Howlin (1812-1878), who wrote several popular works depicting life in rural Ireland. His novel "The Peasant's Tale" was particularly well-received and helped bring attention to the Irish literary scene.

Mary Howlin (1884-1962), a renowned Irish artist and sculptor, also carried the surname. Her works were exhibited in galleries across Europe and the United States, and she is remembered for her intricate sculptures capturing traditional Irish themes and folklore.

Another notable figure was Patrick Howlin (1908-1988), an Irish politician and trade unionist who served as a member of the Irish Labour Party and advocated for workers' rights throughout his career.

While the surname "Howlin" has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to emigration, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Howlin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Howlin 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 5 Howlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.40x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 2.40x
Yorkshire 5 2.87x
Kent 4 6.68x
Cheshire 2 5.16x
Flintshire 1 21.19x
Middlesex 1 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middlesbrough in Yorkshire leads with 5 Howlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 220.26x.

Place Total Index
Middlesbrough 5 220.26x
Bobbing 3 10000.00x
Hoole 2 1333.33x
Liverpool 2 15.81x
Broughton In Salford 1 52.63x
Cheetham 1 64.52x
Cheriton 1 416.67x
Kensington London 1 10.25x
St Asaph 1 1111.11x
West Derby 1 16.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Fanny 2
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Margaret 1
Minnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Edward 1
James 1
John 1
William 1

FAQ

Howlin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Howlin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Howlin surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Howlin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Howlin a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Howlin surname mean?

A surname derived from the English word 'howl', potentially referring to an ancestor's loud voice or a location associated with howling wolves.

What does the Howlin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Howlin 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.