Notes for: Matthew Arundell HOWARD
Matthew Arundell Howard, came to Virginia around 1635, with wife Ann Hall and servants, from his family home the Wardour Castle, Wiltshire, England. It is believed that he took the Howard name from his grandmother, Lady Margaret Howard who married Sir Matthew Arundell (1533-1598), thus joining these two famous families. Speculation as to why he choose to use the Howard name in America has suggessted that there was trouble brewing in England between his royal house and Parliament and he did not want to have his name assoiciated with Arundell. His brother Lord Arundell fought in this civil action. It is known that his son used the Howard (Norfolk) Coat of Arms on documents.
His father was Count of the Holy Roman Empire and 1st Baron Wardour Thomas Arundel (1570-1639). His sister was Anne Arundell, wife of Lord Baltimore. Anne Arundel County, MD, is named after her. Early in Matthews life, his father was in a joint venture to explore a settlement in Virginia, after the ship returned to England there was no further action taken. This may be why Matthew decided to go to Virginia later in life. The records in England of what happened to Lord Thomas Arundell's son Matthew are inconclusive (they indicate that he died early or that he disappeared).
Matthew first was established in Virginia, then arrived at Anne Arundel Co. MD to have land surveyed. After his death his children settled on this land. His children were: Samuel, Cornelius, Mary, Phillip, John, Matthew and Elizabeth.