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Howards Family History

Howards Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Howard, Sowards, Howarth, Coward, Howald, Hards, Hotard, Edwards

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Howards family from?

You can see how Howards families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Howards family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Howards families were found in USA in 1920. In 1840 there were 3 Howards families living in Missouri. This was about 30% of all the recorded Howards's in USA. Missouri had the highest population of Howards families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Howards surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Howards ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Howards. 25% of Howards men worked as a Laborer and 21% of Howards women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Howards were Salesman and Servant. .

View Census Data for Howards | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    25%
  • Farmer
    22%
  • Truck Driver
    12%
  • Salesman
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    21%
  • Laborer
    21%
  • Maid
    17%
  • Servant
    13%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Howards family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Howards. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Howards census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Howards

Passenger Lists

There are 353 immigration records available for the last name Howards. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Howards immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 804 military records available for the last name Howards. For the veterans among your Howards ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Howards military records

You've only scratched the surface of Howards family history

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What is the average Howards lifespan?

Between 1972 and 2004, in the United States, Howards life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1982, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Howards in 1972 was 86, and 94 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Howards

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Howards family tree

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