The Howlett Origins

The Howlett family name origin was researched by a man named Hulet of Dillon, Montana.  According to him, the name Howlett is derived from Saint Hugh of Lincoln, England, who died in 1200.  He was canonized in 1220 for his great compassion for the poor and opposition to the persecution of the Jews.  His father was Lord of Avalon, in Burgundy, France (an English possession where Hugh was born). HIS father renounced the world when Hugh was eight years old, and took his son with him to the monastery of the Grande Chartreuse near Grenoble France .  There he demonstrated his ability as an administrator. In about 1175 Hugh went to England at the request of Henry II, in 1186 he was appointed bishop of Lincoln.  He was responsible for building the cathedral of Lincoln where he is buried. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage.

His feast is celebrated on November 17. Following about 1200 it became popular for people to to take their names after Saints. To account for our names; Hugh came from France of English parentage, but he must of spoken French perhaps better than English. To honor his name and position his followers became as his children or little followers. LET is the diminutive or OL-LET a double diminutive of his followers.  There are many spellings of the name of which Howlett, Hewlett, Hulett, and Hughlett are the most common spellings
today.  Families of this name were to be found at early dates (around 1300 - 1400) in the English counties of Huntington, Oxford, Kent, Surrey, Cambridge, Norfolk, Somerset, and York, as well as in the city and vicinity of London and various parts of Ireland. These families for the most part were of the landed classes of the British Isles.

Howlett is the 6,314th most popular last name (surname) in the United States frequency is 0.002%; percentile is 65.977 

The name of Howlett does have a coat of arms (above) which was awarded in 1559 at Sydenham in Kent England by Elizabeth 1st.
The Shield is in two halves (per Chevron) in which the top half has two triple towered castles, in the bottom section it has a triple masted ship in full sail.
Above the shield is an 'Owl' holding a rose in one claw.
This sits upon a Helmet and Wreath.
All of this means quite a lot and is very detailed so briefly here goes.
The person to whom it was granted was probably a Knight as a Wreath was usually awarded to the Knight by his Lady.  The helmet is facing left and is closed which means he was an Esquire/Gentleman.  The rose probably means he fought in the war of the Roses (Tudor times).
The bottom line is, the first person to hold this Coat of Arms was an advisor or Learned 'Wise' Gentleman (hence the Owl). Possibly a designer of Castles & or Ships, or he was an advisor to the Court on such matters.