Howard m
English: transferred use of the surname of an English noble family. The surname has a large number of possible origins, but in the case of the noble family early forms often have the spelling Haward, and so it is probably from a Scandinavian personal name composed of the elements hā high + ward guardian. (The traditional derivation from the Old English name Hereweard ‘army guardian’ is untenable.)
First names dictionary. 2012.