Howitt

This name has two possible origins. The first being topographic from the Olde English 'Hiewett' - which translates as 'a place where trees have been cut down'. Hence, the surname may be interpreted as 'one dwelling in a cleared place suitable for agriculture'. The second suggestion is that the name is baptisimal 'the son of Hugh', from the diminutives of the name Hugh-et or How-et. Hugh itself deriving from Hugo is an Olde Germanic name meaning 'heart' or 'soul'. It was brought to Britian by the Normans and gained in popularity in the 14th Century due to St. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Huet or Huiet. which was dated 1182 The Pipe Rolls of Devonshire. during the reign of Henry 11 nickname The Builder 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.