Last Name Hovland

The surname Hovland is of Norwegian origin. It derives from the Old Norse word "haugr," which means a mound or burial ground, and "land" meaning land. Therefore, the name Hovland originally referred to someone who lived near or on a burial mound. This surname was common among farmers and landowners in Norway.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Hovland

The meaning and origin of the last name Hovland

The surname Hovland is of Norwegian origin, derived from the Old Norse words "haugr" meaning mound or hill and "land" meaning land. It was likely originally a topographical name referring to someone who lived near a prominent hill or mound. Over time, it has been anglicized into various forms such as Howland, Hoveland, and Hovland, with the latter becoming more prevalent in English-speaking countries. The surname is relatively uncommon outside of Scandinavia but is found among Norwegian immigrants to other parts of the world, particularly North America and Australia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Hovland

The surname Hovland is primarily found in Norway and has its origins from the region around Bergen. Over time, it has spread to other parts of Norway and beyond due to immigration. In the United States, a significant number of people with the last name Hovland originate from Norwegian ancestry, particularly in states such as Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Oregon, where Norwegian immigrants settled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, small populations can also be found in Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries. The distribution of the name Hovland also extends to other Scandinavian countries due to emigration from Norway, especially Sweden and Denmark.

Variants and spellings of the last name Hovland

The surname Hovland has several variants and spellings due to transcription errors and regional dialects over time. Some common versions include:

* Hoveland
* Howland
* Howlund
* Howlan(d)
* Houweling(h)
* Huwelend
* Hoveling
* Havelland
* Haveland
* Hawvland

These variations may originate from Norwegian and Dutch names meaning "high farm" or "farm on the heights". The spelling Hovland is considered the most historically accurate, tracing back to its Norse roots. However, all these variants can be found across genealogical records and family trees worldwide.

Famous people with the last name Hovland

Notable individuals with the surname Hovland include:

1. Harriet Hovland (1904-1982): An American astronomer who was the first woman to hold a faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley's Department of Astronomy. She made significant contributions to the study of variable stars and stellar evolution.

2. Kjell John Hovland (1935-2008): A Norwegian politician who served as Prime Minister of Norway from 1996 to 2000. He was a member of the Conservative Party and also served as Minister of Defense, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Labor and Welfare.

3. Jan Hovland (born 1950): A Norwegian musician and songwriter who has released numerous albums and written songs for various artists, including Norway's Eurovision Song Contest entries in 2004 and 2008.

4. Ole Hovland (born 1967): A Norwegian cross-country skier who won a gold medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics and a silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in the men's 50 km classical event. He also won multiple world championship medals throughout his career.

5. Odd Hovland (born 1976): A Norwegian footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Viking FK and Rosenborg BK in Norway, and FC Basel in Switzerland. He also represented the Norway national team at international competitions.

Genealogical research on the last name Hovland

The surname Hovland originates from Norway and is a variant of the original Norwegian name Haukeland, meaning "high land" or "hill farm." It is believed that the name was brought to America by early Norwegian immigrants in the 19th century. One notable bearer of the name is Ole Christian Hovland, an American political scientist and philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of logic and moral philosophy. In the United States, the name is most common in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, reflecting the high concentration of Norwegian immigrants in those areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hovland family can be traced back to a specific region in Norway, but the exact origin is not definitively known due to limited records from that time period.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Hovland"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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