NameCensus.

UK surname

Howling

A surname derived from the act of howling or the noise made by wolves and dogs.

In the 1881 census there were 261 people recorded with the Howling surname, ranking it #10,752 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 388, ranked #12,133, down from #10,752 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Buckenham, New, Wormegay and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, South Holland and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Howling is 407 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.7%.

1881 census count

261

Ranked #10,752

Modern count

388

2016, ranked #12,133

Peak year

1998

407 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Howling had 261 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,752 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016, ranked #12,133.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 369 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Howling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Howling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Howling 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 185 #11,077
1861 historical 210 #11,551
1881 historical 261 #10,752
1891 historical 300 #11,119
1901 historical 352 #10,394
1911 historical 369 #9,867
1997 modern 390 #11,215
1998 modern 407 #11,212
1999 modern 395 #11,555
2000 modern 400 #11,402
2001 modern 393 #11,366
2002 modern 402 #11,405
2003 modern 379 #11,714
2004 modern 383 #11,650
2005 modern 375 #11,752
2006 modern 380 #11,666
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 392 #11,661
2009 modern 389 #11,980
2010 modern 399 #12,018
2011 modern 387 #12,142
2012 modern 392 #11,898
2013 modern 400 #11,915
2014 modern 399 #12,030
2015 modern 388 #12,188
2016 modern 388 #12,133

Geography

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Where Howlings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Buckenham, New, Wormegay, London parishes, Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John and Elmham, North. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, South Holland and Fenland. 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 Buckenham, New Norfolk
2 Wormegay Norfolk
3 London parishes London 3
4 Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John Cambridgeshire
5 Elmham, North Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 008 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 South Holland 006 South Holland
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 010 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 South Holland 007 South Holland
5 Fenland 001 Fenland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Howling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Howling

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Howling 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

Howling 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

Howling falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Howling 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Howling

The surname "HOWLING" is believed to have originated in England, most likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "howlen" or "huwian," which means "to howl" or "to make a loud, prolonged sound like a wolf or dog." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone who had a particularly loud or distinctive voice or manner of speaking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Adam Howling is mentioned as residing in Norfolk. This indicates that the surname was already in use by the late 13th century.

Another early reference to the name appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from the 14th century, where a certain John Howling is mentioned. This suggests that the name was also present in the northern regions of England during this period.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Thomas Howling (c. 1420 - 1492) was a prominent merchant and member of the Guild of Corpus Christi in York. He was known for his involvement in trade and his contributions to the local community.

During the 16th century, a woman named Elizabeth Howling (c. 1530 - 1595) gained recognition as a skilled embroiderer and was commissioned to create intricate needlework pieces for wealthy patrons in London.

In the 17th century, a man named Robert Howling (1612 - 1678) was a respected scholar and theologian who served as the rector of a parish in Oxfordshire. He was known for his writings on religious matters and his involvement in local affairs.

The surname "HOWLING" has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Howling Hill in Cheshire and Howling Green in Middlesex. These place names may have contributed to the development and spread of the surname in different regions.

As the name continued to evolve over the centuries, various spellings and variations emerged, including Howlinge, Houlinge, and Howlyn, among others. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in the concept of "howling" or making a loud, distinctive sound.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Howling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Howling 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. Norfolk leads with 116 Howlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.63x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 116 29.63x
Middlesex 36 1.41x
Yorkshire 27 1.07x
Surrey 17 1.37x
Hampshire 10 1.92x
Kent 10 1.15x
Hertfordshire 8 4.56x
Midlothian 7 2.05x
Essex 6 1.19x
Warwickshire 6 0.93x
Northumberland 4 1.06x
Aberdeenshire 3 1.27x
Durham 2 0.26x
Northamptonshire 2 0.84x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.58x
Royal Navy 2 6.59x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Suffolk 1 0.32x
Sussex 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Terrington St Clement in Norfolk leads with 27 Howlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 1525.42x.

Place Total Index
Terrington St Clement 27 1525.42x
New Buckenham 17 3469.39x
Brisley 10 3333.33x
Elloughton Cum Brough 10 1282.05x
Methwold 10 787.40x
North Elmham 9 947.37x
St Luke London 9 22.04x
North Mimms 8 720.72x
Islington London 7 2.84x
North Leith 7 44.36x
Penge 7 43.05x
Pickering 7 220.13x
Birmingham 6 2.80x
Buckland In Dover 6 208.33x
Ealing 6 26.37x
Holgate 5 1020.41x
Lambeth 5 2.25x
Whitechapel London 5 19.92x
Alton 4 101.78x
Burnham Thorpe 4 1290.32x
Flitcham Cum Appleton 4 975.61x
Great Yarmouth 4 12.33x
Saham Toney 4 377.36x
St Helens 4 105.54x
St Katherine Coleman 4 1666.67x
Wallsend 4 33.31x
West Rainham 4 1379.31x
Aberdeen Old Machar 3 6.09x
East Dereham 3 60.61x
Gressenhall 3 416.67x
Wivenhoe 3 150.00x
Attleborough 2 101.01x
Barnes 2 38.10x
Battersea 2 2.13x
Boldon 2 74.07x
Crondall 2 71.43x
Docking 2 162.60x
Hernhill 2 303.03x
Kirkby In Ashfield 2 54.50x
Moulton 2 150.38x
St Olave Hart Street 2 909.09x
Stanfield 2 1250.00x
Tottenhill 2 625.00x
Welton Melton 2 270.27x
Ashill 1 175.44x
Brightlingsea 1 34.84x
Doncaster 1 5.43x
Hellingly 1 69.44x
Hingham 1 73.53x
Holy Trinity 1 1.65x
Hougham 1 19.34x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 8.51x
Kirkdale 1 1.97x
Little Ellingham 1 357.14x
Lowestoft 1 6.83x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.85x
Minster In Sheppey 1 6.95x
New Houghton 1 666.67x
Newington 1 1.06x
Norton In Malton 1 32.68x
Norwich St Giles 1 80.00x
Rougham 1 294.12x
Sprowston 1 57.80x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.23x
Swanton Morley 1 166.67x
Wanstead 1 11.36x
Wapping London 1 51.55x
West Ham 1 0.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 11
Elizabeth 9
Emily 5
Emma 5
Maria 5
Eliza 4
Harriet 4
Jane 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Ellen 3
Rachel 3
Rose 3
Anna 2
Annie 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Minnie 2
A.T. 1
Ada 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Beatrice 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
Easter 1
Edith 1
Ethel 1
Georgeanna 1
Harit. 1
Hephzibah 1
Isabel 1
Laura 1
Lizza 1
Lizzie 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Matildor 1
Nancy 1
Rachael 1
Rebecca 1
Rosana 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
John 12
Robert 11
George 10
Thomas 10
Joseph 4
Charles 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
James 3
Richard 3
Alfred 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Matthew 2
Noah 2
Rudd 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Arthur 1
Ben. 1
Bobby 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Frederk. 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.E. 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
Jacob 1
Jonathan 1
Josiah 1
Patrick 1
Paul 1
Vincent 1

FAQ

Howling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Howling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 261 people were recorded with the Howling surname. That placed it at #10,752 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Howling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016. That gives Howling a modern rank of #12,133.

What does the Howling surname mean?

A surname derived from the act of howling or the noise made by wolves and dogs.

What does the Howling map show?

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