Howard is a great aristocratic name of England that also took root among the families of Ireland.
Where does the Howard name come from?
Howard has more than one possible root. It is most often traced to a Germanic personal name, Huard or Haward, from elements meaning “heart” and “brave” or “high guardian.” In some cases it derives from an occupational term for a keeper of livestock. In Ireland the name also served, in places, as an anglicised form of a Gaelic name by similarity of sound.
Howard in Ireland
The name came to Ireland with settler families and became part of the long-established population, particularly in counties Wicklow and Limerick. As a settled name, Howard is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Hewitt, Heath, and Barry.
Carry the Howard name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — ornaments, woven blankets, mugs and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Howard collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Howard an Irish surname?
Howard is chiefly of English origin and became a settled name in Ireland, particularly in counties Wicklow and Limerick.
What does Howard mean?
It is most often traced to a Germanic personal name meaning something like “brave heart” or “high guardian.”
Is there a Howard family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Howard products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
