The name Howell is of Welsh origin and means “alert” or “sprightly” and is believed to have originated in the tenth century with the king of Wales, ‘Howel the Good’. While this name is quite popular in the United States, it is highly concentrated in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
The first documented Howell in the United States was Owen Howell in 1635 who lived in Warrasquinoke, Virginia. Other early Howells include Henry Howell of Henrico (Richmond area), Virginia (1641) and Walkin Howell of Isle of Wight County, Virginia (1641).John Howell came to Virginia in 1637 from England and resided in Henrico, Virginia. He had two sons, John and William. John moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina. While I am not sure if John Sr. is of relation to our portion of the family tree, it is quite possible (given his name and geographical origin).
The family motto, to accompany our crest, is “virtus in arduo”, which translates to virtue in difficulty.
