History of the name Howitt

 Howitt is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Howitt family lived in Huet or Huest near Evreux in Normandy, France. [1] Alternatively, the name was derived from 'the son of Hugh'; Middle English Hugh, How, and Hew, diminutive Hughet and Hewet. [2]

Early Origins of the Howitt family

The surname Howitt was first found in Devon, where the first record of the family was Roger Huet, Huiet who was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1182, 1185. Later, the Assize Rolls listed William Huet in Shropshire in 1221 and Roger Hughet in Somerset in 1280. [3]

William de Huet paid a fine in Lincolnshire in 1204 and Peter Hughet was listed in Sussex in 1278. "Sir Walter Hewet was a distinguished warrior in France temp. Edward III., and from him descended the Hewets, created baronets 1621 and 1660, and Viscounts Hewet 1689, also eminent lawyer James Hewett, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and 1st Viscount Lifford." [1]

Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed Gilbert Huet there temp. 1 Edward III. [4] The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Agnes Huet-wyf; Ricardus Huetson; and Willelmus Howetson. [2]

Howitt Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Howitt has been recorded under many different variations, including Hewitt, Hewett, Hewatt, Hewet, Hewit, Hewat and others.

Early Notables of the Howitt family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Reverend Thomas Huet (died 1591), a Welsh clergyman and translator of the Bible. Sir William Hewett (d. 1567), was Lord Mayor of London, son of Edmund Hewett, was born in Wales, a hamlet of Laughton-en-le-Morthen in South Yorkshire. His family had been settled in the adjoining county of Derby from early times.