The surname Findlay is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name
'Fionnlagh', composed of elements meaning 'white' or 'fair' (fionn) and 'warrior' (laoch).
The name was borne by early Celtic saints and became a popular given name in medieval
Scotland. Over time, it evolved into a family name. Variants of the surname include Finlay,
Finley, and MacFindlay, with the prefix 'Mac' denoting 'son of'.
The last name Howat is also of Scottish origin. It is believed to be a diminutive form of
the name Hugh, which itself comes from the Old French 'Hugues', introduced to Britain by
the Normans. The name Hugh is derived from the Germanic word 'hug', meaning 'heart,
mind, spirit'. The diminutive suffix '-at' may have been added to create a pet form of
Hugh, eventually becoming a surname. Alternative spellings include Howatt, Howett, and
Howitt.
Howat - Findlay
