Howell Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Howell Family History

Howell Family History

The family history of the ancient name Howell was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. Howell is a baptismal name of great antiquity. Variants of this ancient name include Howel, Powel, Powles, Bowell, Howels and Howells. The name Powell stems from the name 'Ap Howell' meaning 'son of Howell'. These families descend from the Welsh Chieftain Coel Hen Gotebauc, 'the old protector', who ruled in Britain under the Romans in the year 400. This name is of Welsh Descent spreading to England, Ireland and Scotland in early times, and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout these countries. Examples of such are a Henry Powel, London, who was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls', England, in the year 1273 and a Roger ap Howell, alias Powell, who was named in a lawsuit in the year 1563. A Hyllar Howell, County Somerset, was recorded in 'Kirby's Quest', in the reign of Edward III. In Ireland the name Howell is often found in Ulster Province where it was introduced by settlers from England and Scotland during the seventeenth century. Howell can also be a variant of the Gaelic name MacHale, derived from the MacHaol and MacCeile septs of County Mayo.The Howell family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Howell descendants.