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Howard Coat of Arms

The surname Howard, of Irish descent, has a history intertwined with the broader narrative of British and Irish nobility and the complex socio-political relationship between the two Isles. Historically, the Howard surname is of Anglo-Norman origin, tracing back to the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name itself likely derives from the Norman personal name "Huard" or "Heward," assimilated with the Old Norse name "Hávar�r," which means "high guardian" or "chief watchman."

As the Norman influence spread to Ireland, following the invasion of 1169-71, Norman families established themselves in Irish territories. The Howards, being a prominent noble family in England, with famous members such as John Howard, the 1st Duke of Norfolk, would have had relations and possibly branches that moved to Ireland during this period or later with the Plantations. In Ireland, the name Howard was sometimes adopted as an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó hOghartaigh, although this connection is not as strong as with other Norman-derived surnames. Over the centuries, individuals with the Howard surname in Ireland would have integrated into Irish society, with some becoming prominent in various fields, such as politics, the church, and literature.

However, due to the British colonization of Ireland and the subsequent Anglicization of Irish names, the Howard name in Ireland may also represent an imposed identity from English or Scottish settlers. Thus, the history of the surname Howard in Ireland encapsulates the broader narrative of the country's complex relationship with its powerful neighbor, England.

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