Where did the surname or last name Powell originate?

Powell, which means 'son of Howel' or 'son of Ap Howel', is a popular Welsh surname. The name is derived from Ap Howel, which is a patronymic surname that means 'son of Howel'. The name Howel is derived from the Welsh name Hywel, which is composed of the elements 'hy' (good) and 'gwe' (fame), and means 'famous' or 'renowned'.