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The surname HOWLES is of uncertain origin, it is believed by Etymolgists to be an orthographic variant of the surname Howells, which is derived from two possible origins, Firstly the surname may be from Welsh patronymic origin, having formed from the name given to the father of the original bearer. In this case, it developed from the Welsh personal name HYWEL, which means 'eminent'. Secondly, the surname may be of an English habitational origin, having formed from the name of the place where the original bearer once lived or held land, In this instance the surname would have derived from the place name Howell found in Lincolnshire, which developed its name from two elements, the first being from old English personal name 'HUNA', being a short form of various names with the first element 'HUN', meaning 'bear cub', and the second being from the old English 'WELL', meaning 'spring' or 'stream'. The place name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'WELLE' and 'HUUELLE', and then later in the Pipe Rolls of 1165 as 'HUWELLA', in the Pipe Rolls of 1190 as 'HUWELLE', and in the Assize Rolls of 1202 as 'HUWELL'. The name is very common in South Wales.